FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 915 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The creation and repeal of laws are largely dictated by the call of the times. 
The changing world order necessitates the review of the existing policies that may 
have once proven effective, but now simply serve to oppress the very people that 
they sought to benefit and protec\. One such policy is the law on vagrancy. 
Historically, vagrancy laws were created bearing the concept of criminality. 
As a result of the breakdown of feudalism, vagrancy laws were passed to 
discourage the idleness of the population. Over time, vagrants became regarded 
as public nuisances. 
The Revised Penal Code, under article 202, defines vagrancy as a criminal 
act. This law carries the same concept of criminality that has been challenged by 
human rights advocates all over the world, as it violates certain cherished 
freedoms such as the right to move freely in travel. In the United States, vagrancy 
laws have already been stricken down on constitutional grounds. 
Moreover, there are numerous reports of arbitrary arrest by the police as a 
result of the wide discretion afforded to law enforcement by the vagrancy law. 
Police have rounded up the poor, accusing them of vagrancy, and holding them on 
prison cells. Most of these vagrants are detained for long periods because they 
, 
have no access to lawyer. 
Numerous cases of street children arbitrarily arrested by the police have 
likewise been documented, particularly during international references, when 
national and international attention is focused on a locality. 
The law on vagrancy blurs the line between poverty and criminality. As the 
economic crisis persists, the poor will continue to suffer from oppressive laws such 
as the law on vagrancy. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is 
earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 915 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
DECRIMINALZING CERTAIN ACTS OF VAGRANCY AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED TWO OF ACT NO. 315 AS AMENDED, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 202 of the revised Penal Code is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"Article 202. Vagrants and prostitutes, Penalty. - The following are vagrant: 
[1. Any person having no apparent means of subsistence, who has 
the physical ability to work and who neglects to apply himself or 
herself to some lawful calling; 
[2. Any person found loitering around public or semi-public buildings 
or places or tramping or wondering around the country or the streets 
without visible means or support]; 
[3. Any idle or dissolute person who lodges in houses of ill-fame; 
ruffians or] p] Pimps [and those who habitually associate with 
prostitutes]; 
[4. Any person who not being included in the provisions of other 
articles of this Code, shall be found loitering in any inhabited or 
uninhabited or place belong to another without any lawful or 
justifiable purpose];' 
[5] 2. Prostitutes 
For [the] purpose of this article, [women] PERSONS, who for 
money or profit, habitually indulge with' sexual intercourse or 
lascivious conduct, are deemed to be prostitutes. 
Any person found guilty of any of the offense covered by this 
article shall punished by arresto menor or a fine not exceeding [200] 
2,000 pesos, and in case of reCidivism, by arresio mayor in its 
medium period to prison correctional in its minimum period or a fine 
ranging from [200] 2,000 up to 2,000 pesos, or both in the discretion 
of the court. 


SEC. 2. Effect on Pending Cases. All pending cases tinder the repeated 
provision of article of the revised penal code as amended by this act shall be 
dismissed upon the activity of this measure. 
SEC. 3. Immediate release of Convicted Persons. All persons serving 
sentence for violation of the repealed provisions of Article 202 of the revised Penal 
Code as amended by this Act, shall be immediately released provided that they 
are not serving or detained. 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations and other issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with 
this Act, are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspaper with circulation. 
Approved,