Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth (20th) Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR 
Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code refers to death or physical injuries inflicted under 
exceptional circumstances, that: 
“Any legally married person who having surprised his spouse in the act of committing 
sexual intercourse with another person, shall kill any of them or both of them in the act or 
immediately thereafter, or shall inflict upon them any serious physical injury, shall suffer the 
penalty of destierro. 
If he shall inflict upon them physical injuries of any other kind, he shall be exempt from 
punishment. 
These rules shall be applicable, under the same circumstances, to parents with respect to 
their daughters under eighteen years of age, and their seducer, while the daughters are living with 
their parents. 
Any person who shall promote or facilitate the prostitution of his wife or daughter, or shall 
otherwise have consented to the infidelity of the other spouse shall not be entitled to the benefits of 
this article.” 
Death or physical injuries inflicted under exceptional circumstances is not a crime, but a defense 
that exempts the accused from punishment. In fact, our jurisprudence interprets the imposition of 
destierro not as a penalty but as a form of protection in favor of the killer spouse or parent from acts of 
reprisal principally by the relatives of the deceased spouse or child. 
Previous attempts to repeal this provision were made but to no effect. To amplify the reasons of 
the legislators, Article 247 disguises as the Philippine version of “honour killing” enabling a patriarchal 
framework to women. Also, it runs counter to the recent enactment of Republic Act No. 7610 otherwise 
known as “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” and 
Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 
2004” that proscribe corporal punishment to children and prohibit any form of violence against women. 
Other than the foregoing rationale of the need to repeal Article 247 of the RPC, keeping the same 
in the nature of a defense is prejudicial to a third person who might incidentally die or suffer injury 
therefrom. As the killer spouse or parent is presumed to have not committed any crime, the incidental 
death or injury suffered by a third person is considered as a mere accident and the victim is left with 
no recourse to seek justice. 
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
July 24, 2025
3:14 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth (20th) Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR 
AN ACT 
REPEALING ARTICLE 247 OF ACT NO. 3815, ALSO KNOWN AS 
THE REVISED PENAL CODE, ON DEATH OR PHYSICAL INJURIES INFLICTED UNDER 
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 247 of Act No. 3815, also known as the Revised Penal Code is hereby 
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repealed: 
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[Article 247. Death or physical injuries inflicted under exceptional circumstances. - Any 
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legally married person who having surprised his spouse in the act of committing sexual 
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intercourse with another person, shall kill any of them or both of them in the act or 
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immediately thereafter, or shall inflict upon them any serious physical injury, shall suffer 
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the penalty of destierro. 
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If he shall inflict upon them physical injuries of any other kind, he shall be exempt 
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from punishment. 
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These rules shall be applicable, under the same circumstances, to parents with 
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respect to their daughters under eighteen years of age, and their seducer, while the 
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daughters are living with their parents. 
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Any person who shall promote or facilitate the prostitution of his wife or daughter, 
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or shall otherwise have consented to the infidelity of the other spouse shall not be entitled 
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to the benefits of this article.] 
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SECTION 2. Separability Clause – If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid 
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and subsisting. 
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SECTION 3. Repealing Clause – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter 
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of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of 
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this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
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in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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