THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T  E 
S.B. No. 
1880 
5 JAN 10 P5:07 
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tlECEtVED BY: 
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introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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~ Since tl?e fall of the Marcos’ dictatorship, and our consequent re- 
acquaintance with democracy, our country has slowly begun abusing; its 
new-found freedom. It seems we are now quick to point the accusing 
finger at public officers, sometimes intentionally accusing them of false 
criminal and administrative charges, indifferent to the repercussions such 
an act could create. 
It is great that our country’s public officials now are no longer 
deemed as “untouchables” in the eye of the public. Their constituents now 
have the right and the power to blow the whistle on public officers who 
abuse their powers and are involved in illegal acts. This, keeps t ese 
officials in check and on their toes. What the people should learn to re lize 
though, is that just as the public servants must be responsible in u ing 
To date, there are, no means with which to protect ‘public  off^ ials 
from individuals bringing malicious accusations at them, yet the Rev 1; 
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their powers, they too must be careful of their freedom. 
Penal Code provides aggravated criminal liability for any public officer 
found taking advantage of his position. There should be a counter-balance 
to this law, otherwise anyone can just falsely accuse a public official of a 
crime without fear of prosecution except for a counter-suit. And in such 
cases, the defendant, being a public officer, will have to suffer loss1 of 
integrity (which he may never regain regardless of the outcome of the 
case.) More importantly, the public official may be hindered from doing his 
duties competently. 
In the end it is the public who ultimately suffers. It is a waste of the 
government‘s time and money to investigate these false accusations only 
to dismiss them later on. This bill punishes false accusers of government 
officials so that it may serve as a deterrent to the former, who may use the 
complaint to disparage and embarrass the later. Hence, the passage of 
this bill is immediately sought. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
5 JAN 10 P5:08 
L
e
 
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A T E  
RECCENED By : 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E  
shall be contained and penalized. 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. 
- Under this Act: 
S.B. 4 
0. 
1880 
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Introduced by Senato Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. 
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DECLARING THE FILING OF 
AS A CRIME AGAINST 
Be it enacted by the 
AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS 
THEREFOR AND FOR 
of the Philippines in 


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Philippines, including, save as the contrary appears from the context, the 
various arms through which political authority is made effective in he 
Philippines, whether pertaining to the autonomous regions, the provinc 41, 
city, municipal or barangay subdivisions or other forms of lo al 
government. 
( c ) 
for a holder of high office 
( d) 
“Complaint” shall refer to a sworn written statement charging a 
person with an offense, subscribed by the offended party, any peace 
officer or the republic officer charged with the enforcement of the law 
violated. 
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“Honor” a person of superior standing, used especially as a title 
SECTION 3. Punishment - A person who knowingly files a false 
complaint against a public officer of a government agency or any of its 
subsidiaries including local government units shall suffer the penalty of 
prision mayor in its minimum to its medium period and pay a fine of fifty 
thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court. 
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If during the course of the investigation or trial it is proven that the 
false complaint was used by the accuser as a leverage against the public 
officer in order to gain advantage in a government contract or to receivela 
favorable decision or resolution in an ongoing dispute, controversy or 
matter where the latter is the governing authority, the former shall suff r a 
penalty of prision mayor in its minimum to its maximum period and pa ia 
fine of one hundred pesos (Php 100,000.00) or both at the discrestio of 
the court. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause - If any provision of this act is 
declared invalid by a competent court, the remainder of this Act or any 
provision not affected by such declaration of invalidity shall remain in force 
and effect. 


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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause - All Laws, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, other executive issuances, rules and regulations or pa4s 
thereof are hereby repealed amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Eff@CtiVify - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) d ys 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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