Source: https://lawphilreviewer.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/criminal-law-book-2-title-four/
Timestamp: 2018-06-19 21:47:29
Document Index: 317430850

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art 171', 'ART. 171', 'ART. 172', 'art. 171', 'art. 172', 'art. 171', 'art. 172', 'art. 171', 'art. 172', 'art. 173']

Criminal Law Book 2 – Title Four | Philippine Law Reviewers
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Criminal Law Book 2 – Title Four
I. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC INTEREST
TYPES OF COUNTERFEITING GREAT SEAL OF GOVERNMENT:
Forging the great seal of the Government
Forging the signature of the President
Forging the stamp of the President
When the signature of the President is forged, it is not falsification but forging of signature under this article
Signature must be forged, others signed it – not the President.
USING FORGED SIGNATURE OR COUNTERFEIT SEAL OR STAMP:
That the great seal of the republic was counterfeited or the signature or stamp of the chief executive was forged by another person.
That the offender knew of the counterfeiting or forgery.
That he used the counterfeit seal or forged signature or stamp.
Offender is NOT the forger/not the cause of the counterfeiting
ELEMENTS OF MAKING AND IMPORTING AND UTTERING FALSE COINS:
That there be false or counterfeited coins (need not be legal tender).
That the offender either made, imported or uttered such coins.
That in case of uttering such false or counterfeited coins, he connives with counterfeiters or importers.
Coin is counterfeit – if it is forged, or if it is not an article of the government as legal tender, regardless if it is of no value
Counterfeiting – imitation of legal or genuine coin (may contain more silver, different design) such as to deceive an ordinary person in believing it to be genuine
Utter – to pass counterfeited coins, deliver or give away
Import – to bring to port the same
Both Philippine and foreign state coins
Applies also to coins withdrawn from circulation
Essence of article: making of coins without authority
ELEMENTS OF MULTILATION OF COINS – IMPORTATION AND UTTERANCE:
This has been repealed by PD 247. Under this PD, the acts punishable are:
willful defacement
destruction of Central Bank notes and coins
Mutilation – to take off part of the metal either by filling it or substituting it for another metal of inferior quality, to diminish by inferior means (to diminish metal contents).
Foreign notes and coins not included. Must be legal tender.
Must be intention to mutilate.
SELLING OF FALSE OR MUTILATED COIN, WITHOUT CONNIVANCE
Possession of coin, counterfeited or mutilated by another person, with intent to utter the same, knowing that it is false or mutilated.
with intent to utter, and
Actually uttering such false or mutilated coin, knowing the same to be false or mutilated.
actually uttering, and
Possession does not require legal tender in foreign coins
Includes constructive possession
Read RA 427
FORGING TREASURY OR BANK NOTES – IMPORTING AND UTTERING
Forging or falsity of treasury/bank notes or documents payable to bearer
Importing of such notes
Uttering of such false or forged obligations and notes in connivance with forgers and importers
Forging – by giving a treasury or bank note or document payable to bearer/order an appearance of a true and genuine document
Falsification – by erasing, substituting, counterfeiting or altering by any means the figures and letters, words, signs contained therein
E.g. falsifying – lotto or sweepstakes ticket. Attempted estafa through falsification of an obligation or security of the Phil
PNB checks not included here – it’s falsification of commercial document under Article 172
Obligation or security includes: bonds, certificate of indebtedness, bills, national bank notes, coupons, treasury notes, certificate of deposits, checks, drafts for money, sweepstakes money
ELEMENTS OF COUNTERFEITING, IMPORTING, AND UTTERING INSTRUMENTS NOT PAYABLE TO BEARER:
That there be an instrument payable to order or other document of credit not payable to bearer.
That the offender either forged, imported or uttered such instruments.
That in case of uttering, he connived with the forger or importer.
ELEMENTS OF ILLEGAL POSSESSION AND USE OF FALSE TREASURY OR BANK NOTES AND OTHER INSTRUMENT OF CREDIT:
That any treasury or bank note or certificate or other obligation and security payable to bearer, or any instrument payable to order or other document of credit not payable to bearer is forged or falsified by another person.
That the offender knows that any of those instruments is forged or falsified.
That he performs any of these acts –
using any of such forged or falsified instrument, or
possessing with intent to use any of such forged or falsified instrument.
Act sought to be punished: Knowingly possessing with intent to use any of such forged treasury or bank notes
How forgery is committed:
if all acts done but genuine appearance is not given, the crime is frustrated
by giving to a treasury or bank note or any instrument payable to bearer or to order, the appearance of a true and genuine document
by erasing, substituting, counterfeiting, altering by any means the figures, letters or words, or signs contained therein.
ELEMENTS OF FALSIFICATION OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS:
That these be a bill, resolution or ordinance enacted or approved or pending approval by the national assembly or any provincial board or municipal council.
That the offender (any person) alters the same.
That he has no proper authority therefor.
That the alteration has changed the meaning of the document.
Accused must not be a public official entrusted with the custody or possession of such document otherwise Art 171 applies.
FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS BY PUBLIC OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, OR NOTARY OR ECCLESTASTICAL MINISTER
That the offender is a public officer, employee, or notary public.
That he falsifies a document by committing any of the following acts:
Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric.
That there be an intent to imitate, or an attempt to imitate
That the two signatures or handwritings, the genuine and the forged, bear some resemblance, to each other
(lack of similitude/imitation of a genuine signature will not be a ground for conviction under par. 1 but such is not an impediment to conviction under par. 2)
Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding statements other than those in fact made by them.
That the offender caused it to appear in a document that a person/s participated in an act or a proceeding; and
That such person/s did not in fact so participate in the act or proceeding
That the offender makes in a document statements in a narration of facts
That he has a legal obligation to disclose the truth of the facts narrated by him; (required by law to be done) and
That the facts narrated by the offender are absolutely false; and
That the perversion or truth in the narration of facts was made with the wrongful intent of injuring a third person
There must be a narration of facts, not a conclusion of law. Must be on a material matter
Legal obligation means that there is a law requiring the disclosure of the truth of the facts narrated. Ex. Residence certificates
The person making the narration of facts must be aware of the falsity of the facts narrated by him. This kind of falsification may be committed by omission
Altering true dates. – date must be essential
Making any alteration or intercalation in a genuine document which changes its meaning.
That there be an alteration (change) or intercalation (insertion) on a document
That it was made on a genuine document
That the alteration/intercalation has changed the meaning of the document
Issuing in an authenticated form a document purporting to be a copy of an original document when no such original exists, or including in such copy a statement contrary to, or different from, that of the genuine original; (if no knowledge, falsification through negligence) or
Intercalating any instrument or note relative to the issuance thereof in a protocol, registry, or official book. (genuine document)
In case the offender is an ecclesiastical minister, the act of falsification is committed with respect to any record or document of such character that its falsification may affect the civil status of persons.
There is no crime of attempted or frustrated falsification of public document
Persons liable – public officer, employee or notary public or ecclesiastical minister
If offender does not take advantage of his public position, he may still be liable for falsification of documents by a private person
Document: any written statement by which a right is established or an obligation is extinguished
Not necessary that what is falsified is a genuine or real document, enough that it gives an appearance of a genuine article
Counterfeiting – imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric
Feigning – simulating a signature, handwriting, or rubric out of one of which does not in fact exist
FALSIFICATION OF PUBLIC, OFFICIAL, OR COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL (par 1)
That the offender is a private individual or a public officer or employee who did not take advantage of his official position.
That he committed any of the acts of falsification enumerated in ART. 171.
Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so participated.
Altering true dates.
That the falsification was committed in any public or official or commercial document.
Under this paragraph, damage is not essential, it is presumed
Defense: lack of malice or criminal intent
The following writings are public:
Examples of commercial documents – warehouse receipts, airway bills, bank checks, cash files, deposit slips and bank statements, journals, books, ledgers, drafts, letters of credit and other negotiable instruments
Cash disbursement vouchers or receipts evidencing payments are not commercial documents
A mere blank form of an official document is not in itself a document
The possessor of falsified document is presumed to be the author of the falsification
the written acts or records of cats of the sovereign authority of official bodies and tribunals, and of the public officers, legislative, judicial and executive, whether of the Philippines or of a foreign country.
Public records kept in the Philippines.
FALSIFICATION UNDER PARAGRAPH 2 OF ART. 172. OF PRIVATE DOCUMENT
That the offender committed any of the acts of falsification, except those in paragraph 7 and 8, enumerated in art. 171.
That the falsification was committed in any private document (must affect the truth or integrity of the document)
That the falsification caused damage (essential element; hence, no crime of estafa thus falsification of private document) to a third party or at least the falsification was committed with intent to cause such damage.
Not necessary that the offender profited or hoped to profit from the falsification
A document falsified as a necessary means to commit another crime must be public, official or commercial
There is no complex crime of estafa through falsification of a private document because the immediate effect of the latter is the same as that of estafa
If the estafa was already consummated at the time of the falsification of a private document was committed for the purpose of concealing the estafa, the falsification is not punishable, because as regards the falsification of the private document there was no damage or intent to cause damage.
A private document may acquire the character of a public document when it becomes part of an official record and is certified by a public officer duly authorized by law
The crime is falsification of public documents even if falsification took place before the private document becomes part of the public records.
USE OF FALSIFIED DOCUMENT (par. 3, art. 172)
Introducing in a judicial proceeding:
That the false document is embraced in art. 171 or in any subdivisions nos. 1 and 2 of art. 172.
That he introduced said document in evidence in any judicial proceeding. (intent to cause damage not necessary)
That the false document is embraced in art. 171 or in any of subdivisions nos. 1 and 2 of art. 172.
That he used such documents (not in judicial proceedings).
That the use of the documents caused damage to another or at least was used with intent to cause such damage.
The user of the falsified document is deemed the author of falsification, if:
the use is so closely connected in time with the falsification
the user had the capacity of falsifying the document
Falsification of Private Documents
Falsification of Public/Official Documents
Prejudice to third party is an element of the offense. Prejudice to third persons is immaterial, what is punished is the violation of public faith and perversion of truth which the document proclaims.
FALSIFICATION OF WIRELESS, CABLE, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE MESSAGES, AND USE OF SAID FALSIFIED MESSAGES
Uttering fictitious, wireless, telegraph or telephone message
That the offender is an officer or employee of the government or an officer or employee of a private corporation, engaged in the service of sending or receiving wireless, cable or telephone message.
That the accused commits any of the following acts:
– uttering fictitious wireless, cable, telegraph, or telephone message, or
– falsifying wireless, cable, telegraph, or telephone message
Falsifying wireless, telegraph or telephone message
Using such falsified message
That the accused knew that wireless, cable, telegraph, or telephone message was falsified by any of the person specified in the first paragraph of art. 173.
That the accused used such falsified dispatch.
That the use of the falsified dispatch resulted in the prejudice of a third party, or that the use thereof was with intent to cause such prejudice.
The public officer, to be liable must be engaged in the service of sending or receiving wireless, cable and telegraph or telephone message
FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES, CERTIFCATES OF MERIT OR SERVICE AND THE LIKE:
Physician or surgeon who, in connection with the practice of his profession, issued a false certificate (note: such certificate must refer to the illness or injury of a person)
Public officer who issued a false certificate of merit of service, good conduct or similar circumstances
Private individual who falsified a certificate under (1) and (2)
ELEMENTS OF USING FALSE CERTIFICATES:
That a physician or surgeon has issued a false medical certificate, or a public officer has issued a false certificate of merit or service, good conduct, or similar circumstances, or a private person had falsified any of said certificates.
That the offender knew that the certificate was false.
That he used the same.
MANUFACTURING AND POSSESSION OF INTRUMENTS OR IMPLEMENTS FOR FALSIFICATION:
Making or introducing into the Philippines any stamps, dies or marks or other instruments or implements for counterfeiting or falsification
Possessing with intent to use the instruments or implements for counterfeiting or falsification made in or introduced into the Philippines by another person
The implement confiscated need not form a complete set
Constructive possession is also punished
II. OTHER FALSITIES
USURPATION OF AUTHORITY OR OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS:
2 ways of committing the crime:
By knowingly and falsely representing oneself to be an officer, agent or representative of any department or agency of the Philippine gov’t or any foreign gov’t.
By performing an act pertaining to any person in authority or public officer of the Phil gov’t or foreign gov’t under the pretense of such official position, and without being lawfully entitled to do so.
In usurpation of authority: The mere act of knowingly and falsely representing oneself is sufficient. Not necessary that he performs an act pertaining to a public officer.
In usurpation of official functions: It is essential that the offender should have performed an act pertaining to a person in authority
A public officer may also be an offender
The act performed without being lawfully entitled to do so must pertain:
to any person in authority
ELEMENTS (using fictitious name) :
That the offender uses a name other than his real name.
That he uses that fictitious name publicly.
That the purpose of the offender is –
To conceal a crime,
To evade the execution of a judgment, or
To cause damage to public interest. (ex. Signing fictitious name for a passport)
ELEMENTS (concealing true name):
that the offender conceals –
his true name, and
all other personal circumstances.
that the purpose is only to conceal his identity.
Use of Fictitious Name (178)
Concealing True Name (178)
Element of publicity must be present Publicity not necessary
Purpose is to conceal a crime, to evade the execution of a judgement, or to cause damage Purpose is to conceal identity
ELEMENTS OF ILLEGAL USE OF UNIFORM OR INSIGNIA:
That the offender makes use of insignia, uniform or dress.
That the insignia, uniform or dress pertains to an office not held by the offender or to a class of persons of which he is not a member.
That said insignia, uniform or dress is used publicly and improperly.
an exact imitation of the dress or uniform is unnecessary
ELEMENTS OF FALSE TESTIMONY AGAINST A DEFENDANT:
That there be a criminal proceeding.
That the offender testifies falsely under oath against the defendant therein.
That the offender who gives false testimony knows that it is false.
That the defendant against whom the false testimony is given is either acquitted or convinced in a final judgment (prescriptive period starts at this point)
Requires criminal intent, can’t be committed through negligence. Need not impute guilt upon the accused
The defendant must at least be sentenced to a correctional penalty or a fine or must have been acquitted
The witness who gave false testimony is liable even if the court did not consider his testimony
Penalty is dependent upon sentence imposed on the defendant
FALSE TESTIMONY IN FAVOR OF DEFENDANT in a criminal case:
False testimony by negative statement is in favor of the defendant
False testimony need not in fact benefit the defendant
A statement of a mere opinion is not punishable
Conviction or acquittal is not necessary (final judgement is not necessary). The false testimony need not influence the acquittal
A defendant who voluntarily goes up on the witness stand and falsely imputes the offense to another person the commission of the offense is liable under this article. If he merely denies the commission of the offense, he is not liable.
Basis of penalty: gravity of the felony charged against the defendant
ELEMENTS OF FALSE TESTIMONY IN CIVIL CASES:
That the testimony must be given in a civil case.
That the testimony must relate to the issues presented in said case.
That the testimony must be false.
That the false testimony must be given by the defendant knowing the same to be false.
That the testimony must be malicious and given with an intent to affect the issues presented in the said case
Not applicable when testimony given in a special proceeding (in this case, the crime is perjury)
Basis of penalty: amount involved in the civil case
ELEMENTS OF FALSE TESTIMONY IN OTHER CASES AND PERJURY IN SOLEMN AFFIRMATION:
That an accused made a statement under oath or made an affidavit upon a material matter.
That in that statement or affidavit, the accused made a willful and deliberate assertion of a falsehood, and
That the sworn statement or affidavit containing the falsity is required by law.
2 ways of committing perjury:
Subornation of perjury: procures another to swear falsely. Solemn affirmation: refers to non-judicial proceedings and affidavits
A false affidavit to a criminal complaint may give rise to perjury
A matter is material when it is directed to prove a fact in issue
A “competent person authorized to administer an oath” means a person who has a right to inquire into the questions presented to him upon matters under his jurisdiction
There is no perjury through negligence or imprudence since the assertion of falsehood must be willful and deliberate
Even if there is no law requiring the statement to be made under oath, as long as it is made for a legal purpose, it is sufficient
Perjury is an offense which covers false oaths other than those taken in the course of judicial proceedings
False testimony before the justice of the peace during the P.I. may give rise to the crime of perjury because false testimony in judicial proceedings contemplates an actual trial where a judgment of conviction or acquittal is rendered
A person who knowingly and willfully procures another to swear falsely commits subornation of perjury and the witness suborned does testify under circumstances rendering him guilty of perjury.
The false testimony is not in a judicial proceeding
by falsely testifying under oath
by making a false statement
ELEMENTS OF OFFERING FALSE TESTIMONY IN EVIDENCE:
a That the offender offered in evidence a false witness or false testimony.
b That he knew the witness or the testimony was false.
c That the offer was made in a judicial or official proceeding.
Article applies when the offender without inducing another, but knowing him to be a false witness, presented him and the latter testified falsely in a judicial or official proceeding
The false witness need not be convicted of false testimony. The mere offer is sufficient.
III. FRAUDS
ELEMENTS OF MACHINATIONS IN PUBLIC AUCTION:
a That there be a public auction.
b That the accused solicited any gift or a promise from any of the bidders.
c That such gifts or promise was the consideration for his refraining from taking part in that public auction.
d That the accused had the intent to cause the reduction of the price of the thing auctioned.
ELEMENTS OF ATTEMPTING TO CAUSE BIDDERS TO STAY AWAY:
b That the accused attempted to cause the bidders to stay away from that public auction
c That it was done by threats, gifts, promises, or any other artifice.
MONOPOLIES AND COMBINATIONS IN RESTRAINT OF TRADE:
Combination to prevent free competition in the market
By entering into a contract or agreement or taking part in any conspiracy or combination in the form of a trust or otherwise, in restraint of trade or commerce or prevent by artificial means free competition in the market (It is enough that initial steps are taken. It is not necessary that there be actual restraint of trade)
Monopoly to restrain free competition in the market
– By monopolizing any merchandise or object of trade or commerce, by combining with any person or persons to monopolize said merchandise or object in order to alter the prices thereof by spreading false rumors or making use of any other artifice to restrain free competition in the market
Manufacturer, producer or processor or importer combining, conspiring or agreeing with any person to make transactions prejudicial to lawful commerce or to increase the market price of the merchandise.
Person/s liable:
Crime is committed by:
Also liable as principals:
Aggravated if items are:
agreeing with another person
to make transactions prejudicial to lawful commerce
to increase the market price of any merchandise or object of commerce manufactured, produced, processed, assembled or imported into the Phil
director/manager – who willingly permitted or failed to prevent commission of above offense
motor fuel or lubricants
ELEMENTS OF IMPORTATION AND DISPOSITION OF FALSELY MARKED ARTICLES OR MERCHANDISE MADE OF GOLD, SILVER, OR OTHER PRECIOUS METALS OR THEIR ALLOYS:
a That the offender imports, sells or disposes of any of those articles or merchandise.
b That the stamps, brands, or marks or those articles or merchandise fails to indicate the actual fineness or quality of said metals or alloys.
c That the offender knows that the said stamp, brand, or mark fails to indicate the actual fineness or quality of the metals or alloys.
SUBSTITUTING – ALTERING TRADE-MARK, TRADENAME, OR SERVICE MARK
a By (a) substituting the trade name (t/n) or trademark (t/m) of some other manufacturer or dealer or a colorable imitation thereof, for the t/n or t/m of the real manufacturer or dealer upon any article of commerce and (b) selling the same.
b By selling or by offering for sale such article of commerce, knowing that the t/n or t/m has been fraudulently used
c By using or substituting the service mark of some other person, or a colorable imitation of such marks, in the sale or advertising of services
d By printing, lithographing or reproducing t/n, t/m or service mark of one person, or a colorable limitation thereof, to enable another person to fraudulently use the same, knowing the fraudulent purpose for which it is to be used.
UNFAIR COMPETITION, FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION OF TRADENAME, TRADEMARK SERVICE MARK, FRAUDULENT DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN, AND FALSE DESCRIPTION
a Unfair competition by selling his goods, giving them the general appearance of the goods of another manufacturer or dealer
b Fraudulent designation of origin; false description by (a) affixing to his goods or using in connection with his services a false designation of origin; or any false description or representation, and (b) selling such goods or services
c Fraudulent registration by procuring fraudulently from the patent office the registration of t/m, t/m or service mark.
a That the offender gives his goods the general appearance of the goods of another manufacturer or dealer
b That the general appearance is shown in the (a) goods themselves, or in the (b) wrapping of their packages, or in the (c) device or words therein, or in (d) any other feature of their appearance
c That the offender offers to sell or sells those goods or gives other persons a chance or opportunity to do the same with a like purpose.
d That there is actual intent to deceive the public or defraud a competitor.
Posted on January 25, 2012, in Criminal Law and tagged Criminal Law Book 2 - Title Four. Bookmark the permalink.	1 Comment.
cars | June 11, 2013 at 12:05 pm