OCT 22, 2015

NR # 3995B

Stiffer penalties for the crime of slander by deed approved

The House of Representatives has approved on final reading the bill that further protects
persons from false accusations, and strengthens protection of the integrity of persons under
Philippines laws.
Approved on third reading is HB 6148 entitled An Act increasing the penalties for the crime
of slander by deed and including the intentional filing of a false complaint in court or with any
government agency exercising quasi-judicial or administrative powers as one of its forms, amending
for the purpose Article 359 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code.
HB 6148 is in substitution of the original HB 1733 principally authored by Rep. Evelina G.
Escudero and Committee on Revision of Laws chairperson Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas who
jointly sponsored the measure during plenary debates until its final passage last October 9, 2015.
The proposed statute penalizes the act of intentional filing of a false complaint in court or in
any other government agencies exercising quasi-judicial or administrative powers, Escudero said.
Likewise, she added that the proposed amendatory law also provides for stiffer penalty, if
proven that the false complaint was used as leverage against another to gain advantage or favor.
The simple, yet vital, piece of legislation seeks to promote social justice by way of
strengthening legal remedies for people whose integrity as a person are unduly prejudiced, the
authors stressed.
Under HB 6148, Article 359 of Act No. 3815 of the Revised Penal Code is amended to read as
follows (proposed amendments in big bold letters):
Art. 359. Slander by Deed. The penalty of (arresto mayor in its maximum) PRISION
MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM period to (prision correccional in its minimum) ITS MAXIMUM
period or a fine (ranging from 200 to 1,000 pesos) OF 100,000 PESOS, OR BOTH, shall be
imposed upon any person who shall perform any act not included and punished in this title, which
shall cast dishonor, discredit, or contempt upon another person, INCLUDING THE
INTENTIONAL FILING OF A FALSE COMPLAINT IN COURT OR IN ANY OTHER
AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT EXERCISING QUASI-JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE
POWERS. If said act is not of a serious nature, the penalty shall be (arresto menor) PRISION
MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD or a fine (not exceeding 200 pesos) OF 50,000 PESOS.
Furthermore, IF DURING THE COURSE OF ANY FORMAL INVESTIGATION OR
TRIAL OF THE CASE, IT IS PROVEN THAT THE ABOVE FALSE COMPLAINT HAS
BEEN OR IS BEING USED BY THE COMPLAINANT TO GAIN ADVANTAGE OR TO
RECEIVE A FAVORABLE DECISION, ACTION OR RESOLUTION ON ANY MATTER,
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL BE IMPOSED.(30) dpt