(Part 1) Highlights of RA 10951: Penaltyx200

NOTE: Figures in items [1] to [5] have been multiplied by 200. For example, item [1]'s figure was arrived at by multiplying 200 (original figure) by 200. Click here for the full text of the law.

[1] Section 1 has amended Art. 9 to read:

Article 9. Grave felonies, less grave felonies and light felonies. - Grave felonies are those to which the law attaches the capital punishment or penalties which in any of their periods are afflictive, in accordance with Art. 25 of this Code.

Less grave felonies are those which the law punishes with penalties which in their maximum period are correctional, in accordance with the above-mentioned Art..

Light felonies are those infractions of law for the commission of which a penalty of arrest menor or a fine not exceeding 40,000 pesos or both; is provided.

[2] Section 2 has amended Art. 26 to read:

Article 26. When afflictive, correctional, or light penalty. - A fine, whether imposed as a single of as an alternative penalty, shall be considered an afflictive penalty, if it exceeds 1,200,000 pesos; a correctional penalty, if it does not exceed 1,200,000 pesos but is not less than 40,000 pesos; and a light penalty if it less than 4,000 pesos.

[3] Treason's fine has been increased:

Article 114. Treason. - Any person who, owing allegiance to (the United States or) the Government of the Philippine Islands, not being a foreigner, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort within the Philippine Islands or elsewhere, shall be punished by reclusion temporal to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed 4,000,000 pesos.

No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses at least to the same overt act or on confession of the accused in open court.

Likewise, an alien, residing in the Philippine Islands, who commits acts of treason as defined in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be punished by prision mayor to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed 4,000,000 pesos.

[4] Conspiracy and proposal to commit treason's fine has been increased:

Article 115. Conspiracy and proposal to commit treason; Penalty. - The conspiracy or proposal to commit the crime of treason shall be punished respectively, by prision mayor and a fine not exceeding 2,000,000 pesos, and prision correccional and a fine not exceeding 1,000,000 pesos.

[5] Search warrants maliciously obtained and abuse in the service of those legally obtained:

Article 129. Search warrants maliciously obtained and abuse in the service of those legally obtained. - In addition to the liability attaching to the offender for the commission of any other offense, the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding 200,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall procure a search warrant without just cause, or, having legally procured the same, shall exceed his authority or use unnecessary severity in executing the same. ADVERTISEMENT: Work from home! Be an online English tutor. Earn at least PHP100/hour.