Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House pi.No, 11484

Introduced by AKBAYAN Representative Percival Cendafia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the case of Hondrade v. Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas), the Supreme Court defined
subornation of perjury as “committed by a person who knowingly and willfully procures
another to swear falsely, and the witness suborned does testify or subscribe an affidavit
under circumstances rendering him guilty of perjury. Subornation of perjury is treated as
perjury and the accused is punished under Article 183 in relation to Article 17, as principal

by inducement.

This bill seeks to preserve the integrity of court proceedings and maintain public
confidence in the legal process by defining subornation of perjury as a separate offense
under the Revised Penal Code. Considering the risk for greater harm when public officers
are involved in the coercion and manipulation of witnesses, stricter penalties shall also be
imposed should a public officer be found guilty of subornation of perjury. This reinforces
their commitment to upholding the highest standards of honesty and accountability i

public service. As Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution emphasizes:

“Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all
times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost
responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and
justice, and lead modest lives.”

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

«GR. No. 226526 (Notice), (07 December 2021)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 11484

Introduced by AKBAYAN Representative Percival Cendafia

AN ACT
DEFINING THE CRIME OF SUBORNATION OF PERJURY, AMENDING
FOR THIS PURPOSE ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“REVISED PENAL CODE”, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. A new article denominated as Article 184-A is hereby added to Act No.

3815, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, as amended, to read as follows:

“Art. 184-A. Subornation of Perjury. - Whoever procures, coerces,
or otherwise induces another to commit any perjury shall be punished
as guilty of false testimony, and shall suffer the respective penalties
provided in this Section, as if they themselves had given the false
testimony: Provided, that if the person responsible for the commission
of this felony is a public officer or employee, or if the testimony results
in the institution of a criminal action against another, the penalty shall
be imposed in its maximum period: Provided, further, that the offender
shall also suffer a fine not to exceed One million pesos (P1,000,000.00)
and perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive ot
lective position in the government or in any agency, entity, or
instrumentality thereof: Provided, finally, that prosecution ot conviction
under this provision shall be without prejudice to a separate action for

damages.”

Sec. 2. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, issuance or parts

thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,