FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PAJMPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
? JUiY 30 r’ ,‘i ., *i 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It seems everyone has not learned from the past disasters. The tragedy in Ormoc, 
Leyte - where more than 5,000 people perished and millions worth of property were 
destroyed, sounded the first alarm to all Filipinos that enormous destruction happens when 
forestlands are denuded. The entire nation was horrified at what had transpired. We were 
all witnesses to the devastation of an entire locality and saw the agony and despair of the 
residents there. That came to pass more than a decade ago. 
What was the cause of the Ormoc tragedy? Everyone agreed that it was illegal 
logging. And there is no doubt that illegal logging is pervasive and causing enormous 
damage to forests, to forest peoples and to the economies of producer-countries like the 
Philippines. But did we, as a nation, do anything to effectively address the problem then? 
No. we did not. 
Several disasters have happened since the one in Ormoc, Leyte. The latest is the 
catastrophe that happened in the Provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Guinsaugon, Leyte. 
Again, hundreds lost their lives and millions worth of properties and crops were 
destroyed. Again, everyone is blaming illegal logging activities as the main culprit. But, 
has anybody been held accountable for the numerous death and destruction brought about 
by illegal logging activities? None, so far. 
The debate on whether to institute a total or selective log ban for the entire country 
is again raging on. With the current fiscal problems that the country face at the moment, 
the debate on what kind of log ban is preferred and best for this country will take time. In 
the meantime, quick measures must be put in pIace to remedy the situation. 
This bill proposes to increase the penalties for people who engage in illegal 
logging activities as defined in Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended, otherwise 
known as the “Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.” The current penalty provided 
under the law is not commensurate to the devastation and desolation that is brought about 
by such an unconscionable activity. 
Furthermore, this bill seeks stiffer penalties for government oficials and 
personnel, members of the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies who engage 
and protect illegal loggers operating in their areas of jurisdiction. They must also be held 


accountable for turning a blind eye on the perpetrators. They must all be made to pay for 
their actions. The environment and the economy of this nation depend on it. 
Hence, passage of this bill is urgently requested. 


? JUN 30 I’ 4 :; 6 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILlPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION SEVENTY-EIGHT OF 
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBERED SEVEN HUNDRED FIVE, AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “REVISED FORESTRY CODE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES” 
Be it enacted 6y the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress, assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 78 of Presidential Decree No. 705 is further amended to 
read as follows: 
Section 78. Cutting, Gathering and/or Collecting Timber, or 
Other Forest Products Without License. - Any person who shall 
cut, gather, collect, remove timber or other forest products from 
any forestland, or timber from alienable or disposable public land, 
or from private land, without any authority, or possess timber or 
other forest products without the legal documents as required 
under existing forest laws and regulations, shall be punished BY 
RECLUSZON PERPETUA AND PAY A FINE OF NOT LESS 
Provided, That in the case of partnership, associations, or 
corporations, the officers who ordered the cutting, gathering, 
collection or possession shall be liable, and if such officers are 
aliens, they shall, in addition to the penalty, be deported without 
further proceedings on the part of the BUREAU OF 
IMMIGRATION: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IN CASE 
OF JURIDICAL PERSONS THE FTNE IMPOSED SHALL 
NOT BE LESS TIIAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND 
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,OOO.OO). 
IF THE PERSON CHARGED UNDER THIS SECTION IS A 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, 
OR EMPLOYEE, 
ANY 
MEMBER 
OF 
THE 
ARMED 
FORCES 
OF 
THE 
PHILlPPINES OR ANY MEMBER OF OTHER LAW 
ENFORCEMENT 
AGENCIES, 
THE 
PENALTY 
OF 
RECLUSZOiV 
PERPETUA 
TO 
DEATH 
AND 
THE 
ACCESSORY PENALTY OF PERPETUAL ABSOLUTE 
DISQUALIFICATION, AND A FINE OF NOT MORE TWO 
THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (pion,ooo.oo): 
PESOS (~250,oon.oo) BUT NOT MORE TFIAN FIVE 
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (~200,n00.00). 


The Court shall further order the confiscation in favor of 
the government of the timber or any forest products cut, gathered, 
collected, removed, or possessed, as well as the machinery, 
equipment, implements and tools illegally used in the area where 
the timber or forest products are found. 
See. 2. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
pu6lication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved