THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to amend Act No. 3815, (The Penal Code) Chapter 3, Article 310, by 
increasing the penalties for certain instances of qualified theft. 
The reason for the increase of penalty for certain cases of qualified theft is found in the 
debased form o f  criminality met in one who, in the midst of a great calamity, instead of lending 
aid to the afflicted, adds to their suffering by t aking advantage o f t heir misfortune to despoil 
them. 
This bill is a product of the public hearings conducted by the Committee on 
Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws during the Tenth Congress. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
INCREASING PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN INSTANCES OF QUALIFIED THEFT 
THEREBY AMENDING ARTICLE 310, CHAPTER THREE OF REPUBLIC ACT 3815, AS 
AMEWED OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congvess assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 310, Chapter 3 of Republic Act No. 3815, as amended, is hereby 
further amended to read as follows: 
"ART. 310. Qualified Theft. - The crime of theft shall be punished by the 
penalties next higher by two degrees than those respectively specified in the next 
preceding articles, if cornmitied by a domestic servant, or with grave abuse of 
confidence, or if the property stolen is a motor vehicle, mail matter or large cattle 
or consists of coconut taken from the premises of the plantation or fish taken from 
a fishpond or fishery. 
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THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION TEMPORAL IN ITS MAXIMUM 
PERIOD TO RECLUSION PERPETUA SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE 
PROPERTY IS TAKEN ON THE OCCASION OF THE FOLLOWING OR 
IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER: 
A) FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, TYPHOON, VOLCANIC ERUPTION, FLOODS, 
OR ANY OTHER CALAMITY NATURAL OR MAN-MADE; 
B) CIVIL DISRUPTION OR 
DISTURBANCE, PUBLIC WANT 
OR 
EMERGENCY: AND 
C) ACCIDENTS WVOLVING LAND, SEA, AIR AND TRANSPORT. THE 
PENALTY SHALL ALSO APPLY IF THE PROPERTY IS TAKEN FROM A 


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VICTIM OF CRIME COMMITTED BY ANOTHER, OR FROM PERSONS IN 
DISTRESS. 
THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION PERPETUA SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE 
OFFENDER IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT OR OFFICER A 
BARANGAY OFFICIAL, ri; SUCH HAPPENS IN HIS JURISDICTION; A 
FIREMAN OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION AND OF OTHER 
CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS EXERCISING THE SAME FUNCTIONS AND 
ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE ENTRUSTED 
WITH A DUTY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE ON THE FOREGOING 
OCCURRENCES. 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of i nstruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary t 0, or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
1986 JPS