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Republic of the Philippines 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES" ') 
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Pasay City 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
Senate Bill No, 3211 
nr 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M, Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Justice delayed is justice denied, However, this principle is not without exception 
as the law and the Rules of Court recognize circumstances where delay of 
administrative or judicial proceedings is justified, the more often used of which is the 
necessity for immediate medical attendance. To be excused in this regard, a party need 
only present a medical certificate. 
Like every exception to any rule, the excuse offered by medical necessity has 
been subject to abuse and misuse. Cunning parties who wish to buy time for purposes 
known only to himself will just look for a willing practitioner with little or no concern 
for professional medical ethics and ask that he be issued a medical certificate attesting 
an imagined disability that may not permit the party to attend the proceeding, resulting 
to an unnecessary delay. 
This unscrupulous practice should not go unchecked. Though there are existing 
laws that may help address this wrongdoing, the same seem to lack the ability to stop 
this abuse. This illegal conduct is a serious challenge that will spell much on the 
integrity of every administrative and judicial proceeding. This bill seeks to prevent 
these unnecessary delays to ensure that the speedy delivery of justice may not be 
denied. 
Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID r 


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Republic of the Philippines 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 3211 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
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AN ACT 
(~v_ 
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INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL 
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CERTIFICATES, CERTIFICATE OF MERITS OR SERVICES AND THE LIKE, 
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AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE ARTICLES 174 AND 175 OF SECTION 5, 
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CHAPTER 1, TITLE IV OF ACT NO. 3815 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED 
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PENAL CODE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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Section 1. Article 174 of Section 5, Chapter 1, Title IV of Act No. 3815 otherwise 
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known as The Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"Art. 174. False medical certificates, false certificates of merits or service, 
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etc. - The penalties of [arresto mayor] PRISIONCORRECCIONAL in its 
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maximum period to [prision correccional] PRISION MAYOR in its 
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minimum period and a fine not to exceed [1,000] TWO HUNDRED 
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THOUSAND 
PESOS 
(P200,OOO.OO) 
WITH 
SUBSIDIARY 
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IMPRISONMENT shall be imposed upon: 
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1. Any physician or surgeon who, in connection, with the 
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practice of his profession, shall issue a false certificate; and 
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2. Any public officer who shall issue a false certificate of 
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merit or service, good conduct or similar circumstances. 
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The penalty of [arresto mayor] PRISION CORRECCIONAL shall be 
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imposed upon any private person who shall falsify a certificate falling 
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within the classes mentioned in the two preceding subdivisions." 
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Section 2. Article 175 of Section 5, Chapter 1, Title IV of Act No. 3815 otherwise 
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known as The Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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n Art. 175. Using false certificates. - The penalty of [arresia menar] PRISION 
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CORRECCIONAL IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD AND A FINE NOT 
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EXCEEDING TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P200,OOO.OO) 
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WITH SUBSIDIARY IMPRISONMENT shall be imposed upon anyone 
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who shall knowingly use any of the false certificates mentioned in the next 
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preceding article. 
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THE PENALTIES PRESCRIBED UNDER THIS SECTION 
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SHALL BE INCREASED BY ONE DEGREE IF THE CERTIFICATES 
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WERE 
USED 
AND 
INTRODUCED 
IN 
A 
JUDICIAL 
OR 
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ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING." 
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Section 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall 
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remain in full force and effect. 
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Section 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative 
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circular not consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 
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Section 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
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Approved, 
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