14‘h CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s.B.N~. 732 
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Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revillr, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Falsification is a felony penalized under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code. 
Among other things, Article 171 provides that an act of falsification is committed by 
“making untruthful statement in a narration of facts” in a document. The elements, 
therefore, of such felony are: 
(a,) the document is false; and 
(b.) there is damage or intent to cause such damage. Such falsification affects the 
truth and integrity of the document. The act need not cause any actual prejudice 
intent to prejudice is enough. 
As settled, the act of falsification is committed by the signing of the document. 
Whether or not the falsified document was thereafter put to the illegal use for which it 
was intended is in no wise a material or essential element of the crime of falsification of a 
public document. 
This bill seeks to impose stiff penalties to anyone who will falsify such 
documents. 
Hence, the passage of this bill is highly recommended. 


14‘” CONGRESS OF TFIE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 732 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
TO IMPOSE STIFFER PENALTY FOR THE FALSIFICATION OF TORRENS 
CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 171 
AND 172 OF ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS, THE 
REVISED PENAL CODE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representutives of the PkiIippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1.Section 171 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as, the 
Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
‘‘ Article 71. Falsification by public, employee or notury or ecclesiastic 
minister - The penalty of prison mayor and a fine not to exceed 5, 000.00 pesos 
shall be imposed upon the public officer, employee, or notary who, taking 
advantage-of his official position, shall falsify a document by committing any of 
the following acts: 
x x x  
The same penalty shall be imposed upon a ecclesiastical minister who 
shall commit any of the offenses enumerated in the preceding paragraphs of this 
article, with respect to any record or document of such character that its 
falsification may affect the civil status of persons. 
THE PENATY OF RECLUSION TEMPORAL AND A FTNE OF P50, 
000.00 SHALL BE IMPOSED IT THE DOCUMENT FALSIFIED IS A 
TORRENS CERTIFICATE OF TRLE. 
SECTION 2. Article 172 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as, the 
Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Article 172. Falsijkation by private individual and use of falsified 
documents. - The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum 
periods and a fine of not more than that 5,000.00 pesos shall be imposed upon: 
(1) 
Any private individual who shall commit any of the 
falsifications enumerated in the nest preceding of article in any public or 
official document or letter of exchange or any other kind of commercial 
document; PROVIDED, THAT, THE PENAL,TY OF PRISION 
MAYOR AND A FINE OF P5, 000 SHALL BE WOSED IF THE 


DOCUMENT FALSIFIED IS A TORRENS CERTIFICATE OF 
TITL,E; and 
(2) 
Any person who, to the damage of a third party, or with the 
intent to cause such damage, shall in any private document commit any 
of the acts of falsification enumerated in the next preceding article 
Any person who shall knowingly introduce in evidence in any 
proceeding or to the damage of another or who, with the intent to cause 
such damage, shall use of any false documents embraced in the next 
preceding article, or in any of the foregoing subdivision of this Article, 
shall be punished by the penalty nest lower in degree. 
SECTION 3. If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining part or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 
force, 
SECTION 4. Any law, decree, ordinance, administrative circulars not consistent 
with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,