SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_—)
First Regular Session )

Introduced by Hon. Mark A. Villar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has become a yearly ordeal for parents, teachers and the education
department to install fixtures, improve facilities and make tour schools more
Conducive to the effective delivery of educational service to our youth. Programs
such as brigade eskwela and other initiatives by both the public and private entities
are important in ensuring a good start for the school year. However, our laws have.
not been an effective deterrent to the crimes of theft, robbery and destruction of
Public school property. It must be stressed that these are more than just crimes
against public property for they constitute brazen assault on our educational
institutions and a grievous attack to our country's educational system.

This bill aims at preventing the further perpetration of these offenses by
increasing the jail time and monetary penalties for felons convicted of theft, robbery
and destruction of public schoo! property. It must be of note that given’ security
vulnerabilities of our schools, a law is undoubtedly needed to provide a stronger
deterrent against such crimes.

It is the author's hope tnbe if enacted into law, this will not only provide the
much-needed deterrent against the commission of the said crimes but also save the
government the much needed funds which can be used to further improve our
educational system,

For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

a a

MARK A. VILLAR


‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 34

Introduced by Hon. Mark A. Villar

AN ACT
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THEFT, ROBBERY
AND DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Public School
Security Act of 2013”.

SECTION. 2. Definition of Terms. —

a. "School property” refers to all buildings, grounds and other property, real
and personal, which belong to a public school, whether the property is acquired
through public funds, loans, donations or lease.

b. “Public School” refers to all state-owned schools, colleges and universities,

SECTION. 3. Penalty for Theft and Robbery of School Property. - Any
person convicted of the crime of theft or sobbery as defined under Chapters One and
Three of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code of any school property shall be
Punished by the penalty next higher in degree than those respectively specified in
the aforementioned articles of the Revised Penal Code: Provided, That the additional
Penalty specified herein shall no longer be made applicable if the imposable penalty
is in its maximum period.

SECTION. 4. Penalty for Destruction of Schoo! Property. - A public school
building shall be considered a building of public ownership devoted to the use of
Public in general under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code. Any person who shall


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bum a public schoo! building shall be convicted of the crime of destructive arson as.
defined in Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code.

SECTION. 5. Penalty for Special Case of Malicious Mischief. - Destruction
to school property not covered by the immediately preceding Sections shall be
considered a special case of malicious mischief under Chapter Nine of Title Ten of
the Revised Penal Code. Any person who shall cause damage to school property
shall be punished with the penalty next higher in degree than those specified in
Articles 328 and 329 of the Revised Penal Code.

SECTION. 6. Penalty for Public Officials. — if the person convicted of the
crimes referred in this Act is a public official as defined in Republic Act No. 6713 or
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the
additional penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office shall be imposed.
Conviction of a public officer under this Act is without prejudice to criminal
prosecution and/or administrative proceedings under applicable Civil Service laws
and regulations, Republic Act No. 6713, and Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act.

SECTION. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION. 8. Seperability Clause. — If any portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.

SECTION. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,