NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1483
Senate
of tljf
*22 NOV-9 PI :15
RtCEI’v ED BV.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 2206 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 386, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
For death caused by a crime or quasi-delict, Article 2206 of Republic Act No. 
386, otherwise known as the "Civil Code of the Philippines" enumerates the damages 
that may be recovered from the accused, one of which is the civil indemnity for death 
or death indemnity. Article 2206 has fixed the death indemnity to "at least three 
thousand pesos, even though there may have been mitigating circumstances."
In fixing the death indemnity, the Civil Code of the Philippines actually only set 
the minimum civil indemnity that may be given thereby enabling the courts to increase 
the amount whenever the circumstances would warrant.
But as early as the 1990s, in the cases of People v. Sazon (G.R. No. 89684), 
People V. Teehankee (G.R. Nos. 111206-08), and People v. Espanola (271 SCRA 689), 
the Supreme Court has increased civil indemnity for death from the minimum Three 
Thousand Pesos to as high as One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP100,000.00). The 
increases made during all these years considered the economic conditions prevailing 
in the country, primarily the purchasing power of the peso. And in People v. Oandasan 
(G.R. No. 194605, June 15, 2016), the Court justified the raising of civil indemnity 
arising from crime or quasi-delict in this wise -
"although money has been accepted as the most frequently used means of 
punishing, deterring, compensating and regulating injury throughout the legal 
system. It has been explained that money In the context of damages Is not


awarded as a replacement for other money, but as substitute for that which is 
generally more important than money; it is the best thing that a court can do. 
Regardless, the civil indemnity for death, being compensatory in nature, must 
be attune to contemporaneous economic realities; otherwise, the desire to 
justly indemnify would be thwarted or rendered meaningless."
This bill, therefore, seeks to set the minimum amount of death indemnity to at 
least Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 50,000.00) so as to at least equitably recompense 
the loss at this present time.
Given the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
RAMON TONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1483
Senate
0( tljf gHT-ftni-J?
*22 NOV -9 PI :15
received BV.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 2206 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 386, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE CIVIL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Article 2206 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the "OV//
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Code of the Philippines" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Art. 2206. The amount of damages for death caused by a crime or quasi-delict
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shall be at least [Three Thousand Pesos] FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (PhP
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50,000.00), even though there may have been mitigating circumstances. In
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addition:
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(l)The defendant shall be liable for the loss of the earning capacity of the
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deceased, and the indemnity shall be paid to the heirs of the later, such
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indemnity shall in every case be assessed and awarded by the court,
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unless the deceased on account of permanent physical disability not
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caused by the defendant, had no earning capacity at the time of his
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death;
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(2) If the deceased was obliged to give support according to the provisions
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of Article 291, the recipient who is not an heir called to the decedent's
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inheritance by the law of testate or intestate succession, may demand
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support from the person causing the death, for a period not exceeding
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five years, the exact duration to be fixed by the court;


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(3) The spouse, legitimate and illegitimate descendants and ascendants of 
the deceased may demand moral damages for mental anguish by reason 
of the death of the deceased.
Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders or rules and regulations 
contrary to, or inconsistent with, this Act shall be deemed repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly.
Sec. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
in the Philippines.
Approved,