THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OB‘ THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
’04 DEG -8 A9 30 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. __ 
1 8 7 2 
Introduced by Senator RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It seems everyone has not learned from the past disasters. The tragedy in 
Omoc, 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 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 and Quezon. 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 place 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 officials and 
personnel, members ofthe Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies who 
engage and protect illegal loggers operating in their areas of jurisdiction. They 


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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. 
RA 
N ON 
EVILLA,JR. 
PJ 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
QEC -8 k9’:30 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
”.I 
.‘# 
S.B. No. 18/ 
*- 
Introduced by Senator RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR. 
AN ACT 
NUMBERED SEVEN HUNDRED FIVE, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN 
AS 
THE 
“REVISED 
FORESTRY 
CODE 
OF 
THE 
PHILIPPINES.” 
AMENDING SECTION SEVENTY-EIGHT OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 
Be it enacted 6y the Senate andxouse of wresentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress, assem6hd 
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 RECLUSION PERPETUA AND PAY A FINE 
OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS 
(PlOO,OOO.OO): 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 fiuther proceedings on the part of the BUREAU OF 
IMMIGRATION: PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IN CASE OF 
JURIDICAL PERSONS THE FTNE IMPOSED SHALL NOT BE 
LESS THAN TWO “ D R E D  FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS 
(P250,OOO.OO) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED 
THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00). 
IF THE PERSON CHARGED UNDER THIS SECTION IS A 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, OR EMPLOYEE, ANY MEMBER 
OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES OR ANY 
MEMBER OF OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THE 
PENALTY OF RECLUSION PERPETUA TO DEATH AND THE 
ACCESSORY 
PENALTY 
OF 
PERPETUAL 
ABSOLUTE 


. ’  
DISQUALIFICATION, AND A FINE OF NOT MORE TWO 
W-IUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P200,OOO.OO). 
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. 
Sec. 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,