Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4981

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. ROZZAN® RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed legislation seeks to penalize the unauthorized use of official coat of
arms, administrative seals, logo, insignia, badges, patches and banners adopted by any
national government agency, office or entity of government agencies, offices or ent'ties.

There have been many instances of reported use of stationeries containing the official
seal of government agencies, offices or entities. These acts, although seemingly innocent at
first glance, obtain a different color when committed by individuals who are not at all
connected to these government agencies, offices or entities, and worse, use these stetioneries
for illegal activities. These acts are, in a way, “unauthorized”, Another form of
“unauthorized” use of these stationeries are done by government people who do such acts
without autiwrity from their superiors and also for illegal purposes.

This situation must not be allowed to flourish. The unauthorized use of official seals
and other he-aldic symbols that appears to clcek actions of unscrupulous indivicuals with
certain legitimacy must stop. It is high time that the “unauthorized” use of official seals and y
other heraki:c symbols be penalized in order to protect and preserve the integrity and
reputation of government agencies, offices and entities.

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

0] a J B. Aion
fentative
Lone eee Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session ‘

House Bill No, 4981

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
PROHIBITING AND PENALIZING THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF OFFICIAL
SEALS AND OTHER HERALDIC SYMBOLS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES,
OFFICES OR ENTITIES

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

SECTION 1. Prohibited Act. —- The use by any person of the coat of arms,"
administrative seals, logo, insignia, badges, patches and banners adopted by any government
agency, offic: or entity pursuant to Section 44 of Republic No. 8491, otherwise known as the
“Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” with the intent to misrepresent said government
agency, office or entity, is hereby declared unlawful.

Sec. 2. Who May File the Complaint. - Any person who has knowledge of the
commission of the act prohibited in the preceding section may file a criminal complaint for
violation of this Act.

Sec. 3. Venue. — A criminal action arising from the violation of this Act shall be filed
and prosecuted following the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure.

Sec. 4. Penalties and Sanctions. — The following penalties and sanctions are hereby
established for the violation of this Act:

(a) Any person who shall violate this Act shall suffer the penalty of prision
correccional in its medium period to prision mayor in its minimum period and a fine of not
less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhPS0,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand
Pesos (PhP100,000.00): Provided, That if the offender is a foreigner, he or she shall be
immediately deported after servicing his sentence and be barred permanently from entering
the Philippines again.


(b) If the person charged under this Section is a government official or employee, any
member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or any member of other law enforcement
agencies, the applicable punishment imposed is prision mayor in its medium period to prision
mayor in its medium period to prision mayor in its maximum period, and the accessory
penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification or a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos
(PhP50,000.00) but not more one hundred thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00) or both at the
discretion of the court.

Any employee or official of government agencies who violates the provisions of this
Act shall be held administratively liable, without prejudice to possible criminal liability
should the pieces of evidence indicate that they have directly or indirectly violated this Act.

Sec. 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,