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Special Penal Laws, An Overview
Special Penal Laws, An Overview
4103
INDETERMINATE SENTENCE LAW (ISL)
I. Important Provisions
Section 1. Hereafter, in imposing a prison sentence for an offense punished by the Revised Penal
Code, or its amendments, the court shall sentence the accused to an indeterminate sentence the maximum
term of which shall be that which, in view of the attending circumstances, could be properly imposed under
the rules of the said Code, and the minimum which shall be within the range of the penalty next lower to that
prescribed by the Code for the offense; and if the offense is punished by any other law, the court shall
sentence the accused to an indeterminate sentence, the maximum term of which shall not exceed the
maximum fixed by said law and the minimum shall not be less than the minimum term prescribed by the
same.
Section. 2. This Act shall not apply to persons convicted of offenses punished with death penalty or
life-imprisonment; to those convicted of treason, conspiracy or proposal to commit treason; to those
convicted of misprision of treason, rebellion, sedition or espionage; to those convicted of piracy; to those who
are habitual delinquents; to those who have escaped from confinement or evaded sentence; to those who
having been granted conditional pardon by the Chief Executive shall have violated the terms thereof; to those
whose maximum term of imprisonment does not exceed one year, not to those already sentenced by final
judgment at the time of approval of this Act, except as provided in Section 5 hereof.
Section. 6. Every prisoner released from confinement on parole by virtue of this Act shall, at such
times and in such manner as may be required by the conditions of his parole, as may be designated by the said
Board for such purpose, report personally to such government officials or other parole officers hereafter
appointed by the Board of Indeterminate Sentence for a period of surveillance equivalent to the remaining
portion of the maximum sentence imposed upon him or until final release and discharge by the Board of
Indeterminate Sentence as herein provided. The officials so designated shall keep such records and make such
reports and perform such other duties hereunder as may be required by said Board. The limits of residence of
such paroled prisoner during his parole may be fixed and from time to time changed by the said Board in its
discretion. If during the period of surveillance such paroled prisoner shall show himself to be a law-abiding
citizen and shall not violate any of the laws of the Philippine Islands, the Board of Indeterminate Sentence may
issue a final certificate of release in his favor, which shall entitle him to final release and discharge.
Section 8. Whenever any prisoner released on parole by virtue of this Act shall, during the period of
surveillance, violate any of the conditions of his parole, the Board of Indeterminate Sentence may issue an
order for his re-arrest which may be served in any part of the Philippine Islands by any police officer. In such
case the prisoner so re-arrested shall serve the remaining unexpired portion of the maximum sentence for
which he was originally committed to prison, unless the Board of Indeterminate Sentence shall, in its
discretion, grant a new parole to the said prisoner.
a. Divisible Penalty
b. Imprisonment as penalty
c. Penalty exceeds 1 year
Application of ISL
1. Determine first the penalty imposable (ex. For homicide, reclusion temporal)
2. Next, what affects the penalty imposable? Determine the existence of aggravating and mitigating
circumstances. Consider first the existence of privileged mitigating circumstances.
Aggravating: maximum period
Mitigating: minimum period
No aggravating and mitigating: medium period
Both general aggravating and mitigating circumstances: offset each other
Special aggravating: maximum period even if there is mitigating circumstance EXCEPT if the
mitigating circumstance is privileged meaning, this should be applied first before the special
aggravating.
3. Minimum period: 1 degree lower from penalty after consideration of circumstances
4. Discretionary on the point of the judge after determination of minimum period, which can be
anywhere within the range of the penalty next lower without any reference to the periods into
which it may be subdivided.
Accused-appellant cannot avail of the benefits of the Indeterminate Sentence Law because
Indeterminate Sentence Law does not apply to persons convicted of offenses punishable with
reclusion perpetua.
I. Important Provisions
(a) promote the correction and rehabilitation of an offender by providing him with individualized
treatment;
(b) provide an opportunity for the reformation of a penitent offender which might be less probable if
he were to serve a prison sentence; and
Section 3. Meaning of Terms. As used in this Decree, the following shall, unless the context otherwise requires,
be construed thus:
(a) "Probation" is a disposition under which a defendant, after conviction and sentence, is released
subject to conditions imposed by the court and to the supervision of a probation officer.
(c) "Probation Officer" means one who investigates for the court a referral for probation or supervises
a probationer or both.
Section 4. Grant of Probation. Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the court may, after it shall
have convicted and sentenced a defendant and upon application at any time of said defendant, suspend the
execution of said sentence and place the defendant on probation for such period and upon such terms and
conditions as it may deem best.
Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a term of imprisonment or a fine only. An
application for probation shall be filed with the trial court, with notice to the appellate court if an appeal has
been taken from the sentence of conviction. The filing of the application shall be deemed a waver of the right
to appeal, or the automatic withdrawal of a pending appeal.
Section 5. Post-sentence Investigation. No person shall be placed on probation except upon prior
investigation by the probation officer and a determination by the court that the ends of justice and the best
interest of the public as well as that of the defendant will be served thereby.
Section 6. Form of Investigation Report. The investigation report to be submitted by the probation
officer under Section 5 hereof shall be in the form prescribed by the Probation Administrator and approved by
the Secretary of Justice.
Section 7. Period for Submission of Investigation Report. The probation officer shall submit to the
court the investigation report on a defendant not later than sixty days from receipt of the order of said court
to conduct the investigation. The court shall resolve the petition for probation not later than five days after
Pending submission of the investigation report and the resolution of the petition, the defendant may
be allowed on temporary liberty under his bail filed in the criminal case; Provided, That, in case where no bail
was filed or that the defendant is incapable of filing one, the court may allow the release of the defendant on
recognize the custody of a responsible member of the community who shall guarantee his appearance
whenever required by the court.
Section 8. Criteria for Placing an Offender on Probation. In determining whether an offender may be
placed on probation, the court shall consider all information relative, to the character, antecedents,
environment, mental and physical condition of the offender, and available institutional and community
resources. Probation shall be denied if the court finds that:
(a) the offender is in need of correctional treatment that can be provided most effectively by his
commitment to an institution; or
(b) there is undue risk that during the period of probation the offender will commit another crime; or
Section 9. Disqualified Offenders. The benefits of this Decree shall not be extended to those:
(a) sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than six years;
(c) who have previously been convicted by final judgment of an offense punished by imprisonment of
not less than one month and one day and/or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Pesos;
(d) who have been once on probation under the provisions of this Decree; and
(e) who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive provisions of this Decree became
applicable pursuant to Section 33 hereof.
Section 10. Conditions of Probation. Every probation order issued by the court shall contain
conditions requiring that the probationer shall:
(a) present himself to the probation officer designated to undertake his supervision at such place as
may be specified in the order within seventy-two hours from receipt of said order;
(b) report to the probation officer at least once a month at such time and place as specified by said
officer.
(d) undergo medical, psychological or psychiatric examination and treatment and enter and remain in
a specified institution, when required for that purpose;
(f) attend or reside in a facility established for instruction, recreation or residence of persons on
probation;
(i) permit to probation officer or an authorized social worker to visit his home and place or work;
(j) reside at premises approved by it and not to change his residence without its prior written
approval; or
(k) satisfy any other condition related to the rehabilitation of the defendant and not unduly restrictive
of his liberty or incompatible with his freedom of conscience.
Section 11. Effectivity of Probation Order. A probation order shall take effect upon its issuance, at
which time the court shall inform the offender of the consequences thereof and explain that upon his failure
to comply with any of the conditions prescribed in the said order or his commission of another offense, he
shall serve the penalty imposed for the offense under which he was placed on probation.
Section 12. Modification of Condition of Probation. During the period of probation, the court may,
upon application of either the probationer or the probation officer, revise or modify the conditions or period
of probation. The court shall notify either the probationer or the probation officer of the filing such an
application so as to give both parties an opportunity to be heard thereon.
The court shall inform in writing the probation officer and the probationer of any change in the period
or conditions of probation.
Section 13. Control and Supervision of Probationer. The probationer and his probation program shall
be under the control of the court who placed him on probation subject to actual supervision and visitation by
a probation officer.
Whenever a probationer is permitted to reside in a place under the jurisdiction of another court, control over
him shall be transferred to the Executive Judge of the Court of First Instance of that place, and in such a case, a
copy of the probation order, the investigation report and other pertinent records shall be furnished said
Executive Judge. Thereafter, the Executive Judge to whom jurisdiction over the probationer is transferred shall
have the power with respect to him that was previously possessed by the court which granted the probation.
(b) When the sentence imposes a fine only and the offender is made to serve subsidiary
imprisonment in case of insolvency, the period of probation shall not be less than nor to be more than twice
the total number of days of subsidiary imprisonment as computed at the rate established, in Article thirty-nine
of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
Section 15. Arrest of Probationer; Subsequent Disposition. At any time during probation, the court
may issue a warrant for the arrest of a probationer for violation of any of the conditions of probation. The
probationer, once arrested and detained, shall immediately be brought before the court for a hearing, which
may be informal and summary, of the violation charged. The defendant may be admitted to bail pending such
hearing. In such a case, the provisions regarding release on bail of persons charged with a crime shall be
applicable to probationers arrested under this provision. If the violation is established, the court may revoke
or continue his probation and modify the conditions thereof. If revoked, the court shall order the probationer
to serve the sentence originally imposed. An order revoking the grant of probation or modifying the terms and
conditions thereof shall not be appealable.
Section 16. Termination of Probation. After the period of probation and upon consideration of the
report and recommendation of the probation officer, the court may order the final discharge of the
probationer upon finding that he has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and thereupon the
case is deemed terminated.
The final discharge of the probationer shall operate to restore to him all civil rights lost or suspend as
a result of his conviction and to fully discharge his liability for any fine imposed as to the offense for which
probation was granted.
The probationer and the probation officer shall each be furnished with a copy of such order.
Mandatory Conditions
1. Report to the designated probation office within 72 hours after receipt of order.
2. To report periodically to the officer at least once a month sooner as the latter may deem
Discretionary Conditions
1. Officer shall visit him in his residence, workplace, etc. even without prior notice
2. Not to go to houses of ill repute
III. Jurisprudence
Under the facts of this case, the petitioners cannot be considered "penitent offenders." They
appeared to have improvidently filed their application for probation and should be allowed to
withdraw it and to appeal the decision.
P.D. 1612
THE ANTI-FENCING LAW
Section 3. Penalties. Any person guilty of fencing shall be punished as hereunder indicated:
(a) The penalty of prision mayor, if the value of the property involved is more than 12,000
pesos but not exceeding 22,000 pesos; if the value of such property exceeds the latter sum, the
penalty provided in this paragraph shall be imposed in its maximum period, adding one year for
each additional 10,000 pesos; but the total penalty which may be imposed shall not exceed twenty
years. In such cases, the penalty shall be termed reclusion temporal and the accessory penalty
pertaining thereto provided in the Revised Penal Code shall also be imposed.
(b) The penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the value of
the property robbed or stolen is more than 6,000 pesos but not exceeding 12,000 pesos.
(c) The penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods, if the value of
the property involved is more than 200 pesos but not exceeding 6,000 pesos.
(d) The penalty of arresto mayor in its medium period to prision correccional in its minimum
period, if the value of the property involved is over 50 pesos but not exceeding 200 pesos.
(e) The penalty of arresto mayor in its medium period if such value is over five (5) pesos but
not exceeding 50 pesos.
(f) The penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period if such value does not exceed 5
pesos.
Section 4. Liability of Officials of Juridical Persons. If the fence is a partnership, firm, corporation or
association, the president or the manager or any officer thereof who knows or should have known
the commission of the offense shall be liable.
Section 5. Presumption of Fencing. Mere possession of any good, article, item, object, or
anything of value which has been the subject of robbery or thievery shall be prima facie evidence of
fencing.
Section 6. Clearance/Permit to Sell/Used Second Hand Articles. For purposes of this Act, all
stores, establishments or entities dealing in the buy and sell of any good, article item, object of
anything of value obtained from an unlicensed dealer or supplier thereof, shall before offering the
same for sale to the public, secure the necessary clearance or permit from the station commander
of the Integrated National Police in the town or city where such store, establishment or entity is
located. The Chief of Constabulary/Director General, Integrated National Police shall promulgate
such rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. Any person who fails to secure
the clearance or permit required by this section or who violates any of the provisions of the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder shall upon conviction be punished as a fence. lawphi1.net
II. Rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of section 6 of P.D. 1612
4. The Station Commander concerned shall, within seventy-two (72) hours from receipt of
the application, act thereon by either issuing the clearance/permit requested or denying the same.
Denial of an application shall be in writing and shall state in brief the reason/s therefor.
5. The application, clearance/permit or the denial thereof, including such other documents
as may be pertinent in the implementation of Section 6 of P.D. No. 1612 shall be in the forms
prescribed in Annexes "A", "B", "C", "D", and "E" hereof, which are made integral parts of these
rules and regulations.
6. For the issuance of clearances/permit required under Section 6 of P.D. No. 1612, no fee
shall be charged.
IV. Appeals
Any party aggrieved by the action taken by the Station Commander may elevate the
decision taken in the case to the proper INP District Superintendent and, if he is still dissatisfied
therewith may take the same on appeal to the INP Director. The decision of the INP Director may
also be appealed to the INP Director-General whose decision may likewise be appealed to the
Minister of National Defense. The decision of the Minister of National Defense on the case shall be
final. The appeal against the decision taken by a Commander lower than the INP Director-General
should be filed to the next higher Commander within ten (10) days from receipt of notice of the
decision. The decision of the INP Director-General should be appealed within fifteen (15) days from
receipt of notice of the decision.
V. Penalties
1. Any person who fails to secure the clearance or permit required by Section 6 of P.D. 1612
or who violates any of the provisions of these rules and regulations shall upon conviction be
punished as a fence.
2. The INP Director-General shall recommend to the proper authority the cancellation of the
business license of the erring individual, store, establishment or the entity concerned.
Important Terms
FENCING
Act of any person who, with intent to gain for himself or for another, shall buy, receive,
possess, keep, acquire, conceal, sell or dispose of, or shall buy and sell, or in any other manner deal
in any article, item, object or anything of value which he knows, or should be known to him, to have
been derived from the proceeds of robbery or theft.
The fence should otherwise be an accessory had not the offense filed against him was
fencing
Elements Of Fencing
Robbery or theft has been committed
The accuse who is not the principal or accomplice in this crime, buys, receives, possess, keeps,
acquires, conceals, sells, or in any other manner deal in any article, item, object or anything of value
which he knows, or should be known to him, to have been derived from the proceeds of said crime
The accused knows or should have known that the said article, item, object or anything of value has
been derived from the proceeds of the crime
There is, on the part of the accused the intent to gain for himself or for another
IV. Jurisprudence
R.A. 3019
ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
(a) Persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting
a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority or an offense in
connection with the official duties of the latter, or allowing himself to be persuaded, induced, or
influenced to commit such violation or offense.
(b) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or
benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between
the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to
intervene under the law.
(c) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or
material benefit, for himself or for another, from any person for whom the public officer, in any
manner or capacity, has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain, any Government permit or
license, in consideration for the help given or to be given, without prejudice to Section thirteen of
this Act.
(d) Accepting or having any member of his family accept employment in a private
enterprise which has pending official business with him during the pendency thereof or within one
year after its termination.
e) Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private
party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official
administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross
inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government
corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.
(g) Entering, on behalf of the Government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and
grossly disadvantageous to the same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit
thereby.
(h) Director or indirectly having financing or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or
transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which
he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest.
(i) Directly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal gain, or having a material interest
in any transaction or act requiring the approval of a board, panel or group of which he is a member,
Interest for personal gain shall be presumed against those public officers responsible for the
approval of manifestly unlawful, inequitable, or irregular transaction or acts by the board, panel or
group to which they belong.
( j) Knowingly approving or granting any license, permit, privilege or benefit in favor of any
person not qualified for or not legally entitled to such license, permit, privilege or advantage, or of a
mere representative or dummy of one who is not so qualified or entitled.
In line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers
and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto.
Prima facie evidence of and dismissal due to unexplained wealth. If in accordance with the
provisions of RA 1379, a public official has been found to have acquired during his incumbency,
whether in his name or in the name of other persons, an amount of property and/or money
manifestly out of proportion to his salary and to his other lawful income, that fact shall be a ground
for dismissal or removal.
Note: Unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value shall be offered or given as a
mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or usage shall be
exempted from the provision of this act.
The act of giving any private party any unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference is not
an indispensable element of causing any undue injury to any part, although there may be instances
where both elements concur. (Santiago vs Garchitorena, et al., 2 Dec. 93)
Public officer acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or inexcusable negligence
Sec. 3. Corrupt practices of public officers. – In addition to acts or omissions of public officers already penalized
by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practices of any public officer and are hereby declared to be
unlawful:
(e). Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any
unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through
manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees
of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.
Violation of section 3 (e) of ra 3019 requires proof of the following facts, viz:
o the accused is a public officer discharging administrative or official functions or private persons charged in conspiracy with
them;
the public officer committed the prohibited act during the performance of his official duty or in
relation to his public position;
the public officer acted with manifest partiality evident bad faith or gross, inexcusable negligence;
and
his action caused undue injury to the government or any private party, or gave any party any
unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to such parties.
Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party
any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official, administrative or
judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This
provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with
the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”
To hold a person liable under this section, the concurrence of the following elements must
be established beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution:
“(1) That the accused is a public officer or a private person charged in conspiracy with the
former;
(2) That said public officer commits the prohibited acts during the performance of his or her
official duties or in relation to his or her public positions;
(3) That he or she causes undue injury to any party, whether the government or a private
party; and
- That the public officer has acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross
inexcusable negligence.” (Llorente v. Sandiganbayan; GR 122166, Mar. 11, 1998)
IV. Jurisprudence
P.D. 603
THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE
I. Important Provisions
Article 3. Rights of the Child. - All children shall be entitled to the rights herein set forth
without distinction as to legitimacy or illegitimacy, sex, social status, religion, political antecedents,
and other factors.
(1) Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a human being from the moment of
his conception, as generally accepted in medical parlance, and has, therefore, the right to be born
well.
(2) Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care
and understanding, guidance and counseling, and moral and material security.
The dependent or abandoned child shall be provided with the nearest substitute for a
home.
(3) Every child has the right to a well-rounded development of his personality to the end
that he may become a happy, useful and active member of society.
The gifted child shall be given opportunity and encouragement to develop his special
talents.
The emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall be treated with sympathy and
understanding, and shall be entitled to treatment and competent care.
The physically or mentally handicapped child shall be given the treatment, education and
care required by his particular condition.
(4) Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper
medical attention, and all the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.
(5) Every child has the right to be brought up in an atmosphere of morality and rectitude for
the enrichment and the strengthening of his character.
(6) Every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the
development of his skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his
fellowmen.
(7) Every child has the right to full opportunities for safe and wholesome recreation and
activities, individual as well as social, for the wholesome use of his leisure hours.
(8) Every child has the right to protection against exploitation, improper influences, hazards,
and other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and
moral development.
The religious education of children in all public and private schools is a legitimate concern of
the Church to which the students belong. All churches may offer religious instruction in public and
private elementary and secondary schools, subject to the requirements of the Constitution and
existing laws.
When a child shall have been committed to the Department of Social Welfare or any duly
licensed child placement agency or individual pursuant to an order of the court, his parents or
guardian shall thereafter exercise no authority over him except upon such conditions as the court
may impose.
Prohibited Acts:
It shall be unlawful for any child to leave the person or institution to which he has been
judicially or voluntarily committed or the person under whose custody he has been placed in
accordance with the next preceding article, or for any person to induce him to leave such person or
institution, except in case of grave physical or moral danger, actual or imminent, to the child.
Any violation of this article shall be punishable by an imprisonment of not more than one
year or by a fine of not more than two thousand pesos, or both such fine and imprisonment at the
discretion of the court: Provided, That if the violation is committed by a foreigner, he shall also be
subject to deportation.
A youthful offender held for physical and mental examination or trial or pending appeal, if
unable to furnish bail, shall from the time of his arrest be committed to the care of the Department
of Social Welfare or the local rehabilitation center or a detention home in the province or city which
shall be responsible for his appearance in court whenever required: Provided, That in the absence of
any such center or agency within a reasonable distance from the venue of the trial, the provincial,
city and municipal jail shall provide quarters for youthful offenders separate from other detainees.
The court may, in its discretion, upon recommendation of the Department of Social Welfare or other
agency or agencies authorized by the Court, release a youthful offender on recognizance, to the
custody of his parents or other suitable person who shall be responsible for his appearance
whenever required.
If after hearing the evidence in the proper proceedings, the court should find that the
youthful offender has committed the acts charged against him the court shall determine the
imposable penalty, including any civil liability chargeable against him. However, instead of
pronouncing judgment of conviction, the court shall suspend all further proceedings and shall
commit such minor to the custody or care of the Department of Social Welfare, or to any training
institution operated by the government, or duly licensed agencies or any other responsible person,
until he shall have reached twenty-one years of age or, for a shorter period as the court may deem
proper, after considering the reports and recommendations of the Department of Social Welfare or
the agency or responsible individual under whose care he has been committed.
III. Jurisprudence
B.P. 22
BOUNCING CHECKS LAW
I. Important Provisons
ACTS PUNISHABLE:
2. Any person who having sufficient funds in or credit with the drawee bank when he makes
or draws and issues a check, shall fail to keep sufficient funds or to maintain a credit to cover the full
amount of the check if presented within a period of ninety days from date appearing thereon, for
which reason, it is dishonored by the drawee bank.
To establish her guilt, it is indispensable that the checks she issued for which she was
subsequently charged, be offered in evidence because the gravamen of the offense
charged is the act of knowingly issuing a check with insufficient funds. Clearly, it was error
to convict complainant on the basis of her letter alone. Nevertheless, despite this
incorrect interpretation of a rule on evidence, we do not find the same as sufficiently
constitutive of the charges of gross ignorance of the law and of knowingly rendering an
unjust decision. Rather, it is at most an error in judgment, for which, as a general rule, he
cannot be held administratively liable. In this regard, we reiterate the prevailing rule in
our jurisdiction as established by current jurisprudence. (Gutierrez v Pallatao; 8/8/98)
Section 3 of BP 22 requires that the holder of the check or the drawee bank, must notify the
drawer of the check that the same was dishonored, if the same is presented within ninety days from
date of issuance, and upon notice the drawer has five days within which to make arrangements for
the payment of the check or pay the same in full.
The drawee bank has the duty to cause to be written, printed or stamped in plain language
thereon, or attached thereto the reason for the drawee’s dishonor or refusal to pay the same. If the
drawee bank fails to do so, prosecution for violation of BP 22 may not prosper.
The drawee bank has not only the duty to indicate that the drawer stopped the payment
and the reason for the stop payment. The drawee bank is further obligated to state whether the
drawer of the check has sufficient funds in the bank or not.
A check drawn against a dollar account in a foreign country is still violative of the provisions
of BP 22 so long as the check is issued, delivered or uttered in the Philippines, even if the same is
payable outside of the Philippines (De Villa v. CA)
In the case of Magno vs CA, when accused issued a check as warranty deposit for lease of
certain equipment, even knowing that he has no funds or insufficient funds in the bank is not liable,
if the lessor of the equipment pulled out the loaned equipment. The drawer has no obligation to
make good the check because there is no more deposit to guaranty.
Can a person be held liable for issuing a check with sufficient funds for violation of bp 22?
The same penalty shall be imposed upon any person who having sufficient funds in or credit
with the drawee bank when he makes or draws and issues a check, shall fail to keep sufficient funds
or to maintain a credit to cover the full amount of the check if presented within a period of 90 days
from the date appearing thereon, for which reason, it is dishonored by the drawee bank.
In the crime of estafa, deceit and damage are essential elements of the offense and have to
be established with satisfactory proof to warrant conviction. For violation of the Bouncing Checks
Law, on the other hand, the elements of deceit and damage are neither essential nor required.
Rather, the elements of B.P. Blg. 22 are (a) the making, drawing and issuance of any check to apply
to account or for value; (b) the maker, drawer or issuer knows at the time of issuance that he does
not have sufficient funds in or credit with the drawee bank for the payment of such check in full
upon its presentment; and, (c) the check is subsequently dishonored by the drawee bank for
insufficiency of funds or credit or would have been dishonored for the same reason had not the
drawer, without valid reason, ordered the bank to stop payment. (Uy v Court of Appeals, GR
119000, July 28, 1997)
When lack of knowledge and lack of power to fund the checks in cases of bp 22 a defense
III. Jurisprudence
People vs Nitafan, 215 SCRA
In this case, the agreement of the parties in respect to the issuance of the check is
inconsequential or will not affect the violation of BP 22, if the check is presented to the bank and the
same was dishonored due to insufficiency of funds.
R.A. 8294
ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS
I. Important Provisions
“SECTION 1. Unlawful Manufacture, Sale, Acquisition, Disposition or Possession of
Firearms or Ammunition or Instruments Used or Intended to be Used in the Manufacture of
Firearms or Ammunition. — The penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of
not less than Fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall
“The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period and a fine of Thirty thousand pesos
(P30,000) shall be imposed if the firearm is classified as high powered firearm which includes those
with bores bigger in diameter than .38 caliber and 9 millimeter such as caliber .40, .41, .44, .45 and
also lesser calibered firearms but considered powerful such as caliber .357 and caliber .22 center-
fire magnum and other firearms with firing capability of full automatic and by burst of two or three:
Provided, however, That no other crime was committed by the person arrested
SECTION 5. Coverage of the Term Unlicensed Firearm. — The term unlicensed firearm
shall include:
ACTS PUNISHABLE:
1. “upon any person who shall unlawfully manufacture, deal in, acquire, dispose, or possess any
low powered firearm, such as rimfire handgun, .380 or .32 and other firearm of similar firepower,
part of firearm, ammunition, or machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used in the
manufacture of any firearm or ammunition”
2. “If homicide or murder is committed with the use of an unlicensed firearm, such use of an
unlicensed firearm shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance.
4. “The same penalty shall be imposed upon the owner, president, manager, director or other
responsible officer of any public or private firm, company, corporation or entity, who shall willfully
or knowingly allow any of the firearms owned by such firm, company, corporation or entity to be
used by any person or persons found guilty of violating the provisions of the preceding paragraphs
or willfully or knowingly allow any of them to use unlicensed firearms or firearms without any legal
authority to be carried outside of their residence in the course of their employment.”
1. “The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any person who shall carry any licensed
firearm outside his residence without legal authority therefor”
2. “Any person who shall unlawfully tamper, change, deface or erase the serial number of any
firearm”.
3. “Any person who shall unlawfully repack, alter or modify the composition of any lawfully
manufactured explosives
In crimes involving illegal possession of firearm, the prosecution has the burden of proving
the elements thereof, viz:
The essence of the crime of illegal possession is the possession, whether actual or constructive, of
the subject firearm, without which there can be no conviction for illegal possession.
After possession is established by the prosecution, it would only be a matter of course to
determine whether the accused has a license to possess the firearm. (People v. Bansil, 304 scra 38
III. Jurisprudence
R.A. 4200
ANTI-WIRE TAPPING LAW
I. Important Provisions
Sec. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, not being authorized by all the parties to any
private communication or spoken word, to tap any wire or cable, or by using any other device or
arrangement, to secretly overhear, intercept, or record such communication or spoken word by
A PERSON CALLING ANOTHER BY PHONE MAY SAFELY PRESUME THAT THE OTHER MAY HAVE AN
EXTENSION LINE AND RUNS THE RISK OF BEING HEARD BY A 3RD PARTY.
An extension telephone is an instrument which is very common especially now when the
extended unit does not have to be connected by wire to the main telephone but can be moved from
place to place within a radius of a kilometer or more. A person should safely presume that the party
he is calling at the other end of the line probably has an extension telephone and he runs the risk of
a third party listening as in the case of a party line or a telephone unit which shares its line with
another.
III. Jurisprudence
Ramirez vs. Court of Appeals, [G.R. No. 93833 (Sept. 28, 1995)
R.A. 7877
SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAW
WORK, EDUCATION OR TRAINING-RELATED SEXUAL HARASSMENT DEFINED.
I. Purpose
The State shall value the dignity of every individual, enhance the development of its human
resources, guarantee full respect for human rights, and uphold the dignity of workers, employees,
applicants for employment, students or those undergoing training, instruction or education.
(1) The sexual favor is made as a condition in the hiring or in the employment, re-
employment or continued employment of said individual, or in granting said individual favorable
compensation, terms, conditions, promotions, or privileges; or the refusal to grant the sexual favor
results in limiting, segregating or classifying the employee which in any way would discriminate,
deprive or diminish employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect said employee;
(2) The above acts would impair the employee’s rights or privileges under existing
labor laws; or
(3) The above acts would result in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment
for the employee.
(1) Against one who is under the care, custody or supervision of the offender;
(3) When the sexual favor is made a condition to the giving of a passing grade, or the
granting of honors and scholarships or the payment of a stipend, allowance or other benefits,
privileges, or considerations; or
Any person who directs or induces another to commit any act of sexual harassment as
herein defined, or who cooperates in the commission thereof by another without which it would not
have been committed, shall also be held liable under this Act.
I. Important Provisions
DEFINITION OF TERMS
“Money Laundering Offense” Money laundering is a crime whereby the proceeds of an unlawful
activity are transacted, thereby making them appear to have originated from legitimate sources. It is
committed by the following:
(a) Any person knowing that any monetary instrument or property represents, involves, or relates to
the proceeds of any unlawful activity, transacts or attempts to transact said monetary instrument or
property.
(b) Any person knowing that any monetary instrument or property involves the proceeds of any
unlawful activity, performs or fails to perform any act as a result of which he facilitates the offense
of money laundering referred to in paragraph (a) above.
(c) Any person knowing that any monetary instrument or property is required under this Act to be
disclosed and filed with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), fails to do so.
"Unlawful activity" refers to any act or omission or series or combination thereof involving
or having relation to the following:
(1) Kidnapping for ransom under Article 267 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the
Revised Penal Code, as amended;
(2) Sections 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 of Article Two of Republic Act No. 6425, as amended,
otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972;
(3) Section 3 paragraphs B, C, E, G, H and I of Republic Act No. 3019, as amended; otherwise
known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act;
(4) Plunder under Republic Act No. 7080, as amended;
(5) Robbery and extortion under Articles 294, 295, 296, 299, 300, 301 and 302 of the Revised
Penal Code, as amended;
(6) Jueteng and Masiao punished as illegal gambling under Presidential Decree No. 1602;
(7) Piracy on the high seas under the Revised Penal Code, as amended and Presidential
Decree No. 532;
(8) Qualified theft under, Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended;
(9) Swindling under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended;
PENALTY
The penalty of imprisonment ranging from seven (7) to fourteen (14) years and a fine of not
less than Three million Philippine pesos (Php 3,000,000.00) but not more than twice the value of the
monetary instrument or property involved in the offense, shall be imposed upon a person convicted
under Section 4(a) of this Act.
The penalty of imprisonment from four (4) to seven (7) years and a fine of not less than One
million five hundred thousand Philippine pesos (Php 1,500,000.00) but not more than Three million
Philippine pesos (Php 3,000,000.00), shall be imposed upon a person convicted under Section 4(b) of
this Act.
The penalty of imprisonment from six (6) months to four (4) years or a fine of not less than
One hundred thousand Philippine pesos (Php 100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand
Philippine pesos (Php 500,000.00), or both, shall be imposed on a person convicted under Section
4(c) of this Act.
PROCEDURAL RULES
Jurisdiction of Money Laundering Cases – The regional trial courts shall have jurisdiction to
try all cases on money laundering. Those committed by public officers and private persons who are
in conspiracy with such public officers shall be under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.
Republic vs. Glasgow Credit and Collections Service Inc. (G.R. No. 170281, January 18, 2008
The Supreme Court, citing RA 9160, held that RA 9160, its implementing rules and
regulations lay down two conditions when applying for civil forfeiture:
(1) when there is a suspicious transaction report or a covered transaction report
deemed suspicious after investigation by the AMLC and
(2) the court has, in a petition filed for the purpose, ordered the seizure of any
monetary instrument or property, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, related to said report.
It is the preliminary seizure of the property in question which brings it within the reach of
the judicial process.[16] It is actually within the court’s possession when it is submitted to the
process of the court.[17] The injunctive writ issued on August 8, 2003 removed account no. CA-005-
10-000121-5 from the effective control of either Glasgow or CSBI or their representatives or agents
and subjected it to the process of the court. A criminal conviction for an unlawful activity is not a
prerequisite for the institution of a civil forfeiture proceeding. Stated otherwise, a finding of guilt for
an unlawful activity is not an essential element of civil forfeiture.
Republic vs. Eugenio, Jr. (G.R. No. 174629, February 14, 2008)
The court in this case held that Money laundering has been generally defined by the
International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) `as "any act or attempted act to conceal or
disguise the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from
legitimate sources."Even before the passage of the AMLA, the problem was addressed by the
Philippine government through the issuance of various circulars by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Yet ultimately, legislative proscription was necessary, especially with the inclusion of the Philippines
in the Financial Action Task Force’s list of non-cooperative countries and territories in the fight
against money laundering.65 The original AMLA, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9160, was passed in 2001. It
was amended by R.A. No. 9194 in 2003.
Section 4 of the AMLA states that "[m]oney laundering is a crime whereby the proceeds of
an unlawful activity as [defined in the law] are transacted, thereby making them appear to have
originated from legitimate sources."he section further provides the three modes through which the
crime of money laundering is committed. Section 7 creates the AMLC and defines its powers, which
generally relate to the enforcement of the AMLA provisions and the initiation of legal actions
authorized in the AMLA such as civil forefeiture proceedings and complaints for the prosecution of
money laundering offenses.
I. Importants Provisions
Moreover, the computation used in order to arrive at such charges and fees required, to the
extent practicable, to be explained in detail and a clear illustration of the manner by which it is
made to apply is also necessary.
Failure on the part of the issuer to fulfill the above requirements will result in the suspension or
cancellation of its authority to issue credit cards, after due notice and hearing, by the Banko Sentral
ng Pilipinas, the Securities and Exchange Commission and such other government agencies.
In sum therefore, the above omission is made punishable if the following elements occur. One,
there is an application or solicitation. Second, such application or solicitation should include the
information required by law. and third, failure on the part of the issuer to disclose such information.
The penalties provided for by RA 8484 are imprisonment and fine. Imprisonment is from six (6) years
to ten (10) years and fine ranges from ten thousand pesos (10,000.00) or twice the value of the
offense, whichever is higher
The penalties are increased in case the offender has a similar previous conviction, meaning if he was
previously found violating RA 8484. In which case, the accused shall suffer imprisonment of not less
than twelve (12) years and not more than twenty (20) years.
American Express International Co., Inc. vs. IAC (GR NO. 70766, November 9, 1988)
Supreme Court turned down the argument of private respondent grounded on the adhesion
principle saying indeed, in a contract of adhesion the maker of the contract has all the advantages,
however, the one to whom it is offered has the absolute prerogative to accept or deny the same.
I. Important Provisions
Section 1. Any person, whether natural or juridical, who directly or indirectly cuts, gathers,
removes, or smuggles timber, or other forest products, either from any of the public forest, forest
reserves and other kinds of public forests, whether under license or lease, or from any privately
owned forest lands in violation of existing laws, rules and regulation shall be guilty of the crime of
qualified theft as defined and penalized under Articles 308, 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code;
Provided, That if the offender is a corporation, firm, partnership or association, the penalty shall be
imposed upon the guilty officer or officers, as the case may be, of the corporation, firm, partnership
Section 2. All laws, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.
II. Purpose
1. Preservation and conservation of forests for future generations as a public duty; and
2. Logs and other wood products are essential to the national economy and patrimony.
Elements
1. Any natural or juridical person
2. Who directly or indirectly cuts, gathers, removes or smuggles timber or other forest products
3. From public forests, forest reserves and other kinds of public forests, or private forests
4. In violation of existing laws, rules and regulation
Penalty
The act of smuggling timber or of illegal logging is considered as the crime of qualified theft as
defined and penalized under Articles 308, 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code.
If such guilty officer or officers are aliens, in addition to the penalty herein prescribed, he or they
shall be deported without further proceedings on the part of the Commissioned of Immigration and
Deportation.
III. Jurisprudence
I. Important Provisions
Art. 38. Illegal Recruitment. — (a) Any recruitment activities, including the prohibited
practices enumerated under Article 34 of this Code, to be undertaken by non-licensees or non-
holders of authority shall be deemed illegal and punishable under Article 39 of this Code. The
Ministry of Labor and Employment or any law enforcement officers may initiate complaints under
this Article.
(b) Illegal recruitment when committed by a syndicate or in large scale shall be considered an
Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three (3) or more
persons conspiring and/or confederating with one another in carrying out any unlawful or illegal
transaction, enterprise or scheme defined under this first paragraph hereof. Illegal recruitment is
deemed committed in large scale if committed against three (3) or more persons individually or as a
group.
(c) The Minister of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representatives shall have the
power to cause the arrest and detention of such non-license or non-holder of authority if after
investigation it is determined that his activities constitute a danger to national security and public
order or will lead to further exploitation of job-seekers. The Minister shall order the search of the
office or premises and seizure of documents paraphernalia, properties and other implements used
in illegal recruitment activities and the closure of companies, establishment and entities found to be
engaged in the recruitment of workers for overseas employment, without having been licensed or
authorized to do so.
"Art. 39. Penalties. — (a) The penalty of imprisonment and a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos
(P100,000) shall be imposed if illegal recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as defined herein;
(b) Any licensee or holder of authority found violating or causing another to violate any provision
of this Title or its implementing rules and regulations shall, upon conviction thereof, suffer the
penalty of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than five years or a fine of not less
than P10,000 nor more than P50,000 or both such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the
court;
(c) Any person who is neither a licensee nor a holder of authority under this Title found violating
any provision thereof or its implementing rules and regulations shall, upon conviction thereof, suffer
the penalty of imprisonment of not less than four years nor more than eight years or a fine of not
less than P20,000 nor more than P100,000 or both such imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of
the Court;
(d) If the offender is a corporation, partnership, association or entity, the penalty shall be imposed
upon the officer or officers of the corporation, partnership, association or entity responsible for
violation; and if such officer is an alien, he shall, in addition to the penalties herein prescribed be
deported without further proceedings;
(e) In every case, conviction shall cause and carry the automatic revocation of the license or
authority and all the permits and privileges granted to such person or entity under this Title, and the
forfeiture of the cash and surety bonds in favor of the Overseas Employment Development Board or
the National Seamen Board, as the case may be, both of which are authorized to use the same
exclusively to promote their objectives.
Secretary of Labor and Employment cannot issue Search Warrants or Warrants of Arres
-under the 1987 Constitution, search warrants and warrants of arrest may be issued only by
a judge. The Secretary of Labor and Employment, not being a judge, can no longer issue warrants
pursuant to Article 38. (Salazar v. Hon. T. Achacoso et al., G.R. No. 815510, March 14, 1990)
III. Jurisprudence
R.A. 7080
PLUNDER
I. Salient Provisions:
Section 2. Definition of the Crime of Plunder; Penalties - Any public officer who, by himself or in
connivance with members of his family, relatives by affinity or consanguinity, business associates,
subordinates or other persons, amasses, accumulates or acquires ill-gotten wealth through a
combination or series of overt or criminal acts as described in Section 1(d) hereof, in the aggregate
amount or total value of at least Seventy-five million pesos (P75,000,000.00), shall be guilty of the
crime of plunder and shall be punished by life imprisonment with perpetual absolute disqualification
from holding any public office. Any person who participated with said public officer in the
commission of plunder shall likewise be punished.
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Section 3. Competent Court - Until otherwise provided by law, all prosecutions under this Act shall
be within the original jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.
Section 4. Rule of Evidence - For purposes of establishing the crime of plunder, it shall not be
necessary to prove each and every criminal act done by the accused in furtherance of the scheme or
conspiracy to amass, accumulate or acquire ill-gotten wealth, it being sufficient to establish beyond
reasonable doubt a pattern of overt or criminal acts indicative of the overall unlawful scheme or
conspiracy.
Section 6. Prescription of Crimes - The crime punishable under this Act shall prescribe in twenty (20)
years. However,
the right of the State to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public officers from them or from
their nominees or transferees shall not be barred by prescription, laches, or estoppel.
II. Jurisprudence:
ESTRADA, vs. SANDIGANBAYAN and PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES G.R. No. 148560
The thesis that Sec. 4 does away with proof of each and every component of the crime
suffers from a dismal misconception of the import of that provision. What the prosecution
needs to prove beyond reasonable doubt is only a number of acts sufficient to form a
combination or series which would constitute a pattern and involving an amount of at least
P50,000,000.00. There is no need to prove each and every other act alleged in the
Information to have been committed by the accused in furtherance of the overall unlawful
scheme or conspiracy to amass, accumulate or acquire ill-gotten wealth. To illustrate,
supposing that the accused is charged, in an Information for plunder with having committed
fifty (50) raids on the public treasury. The prosecution need not prove all these fifty (50)
raids, it being sufficient to prove by pattern at least two (2) of the raids beyond reasonable
doubt provided only that they amounted to at least P50,000,000.00.
The action of forfeiture arises when a "public officer or employee [acquires] during his
incumbency an amount of property which is manifestly out of proportion of his salary x x x and to
his other lawful income x x x."Such amount of property is then presumed prima facie to have been
unlawfully acquired. Thus "if the respondent [public official] is unable to show to the satisfaction of
the court that he has lawfully acquired the property in question, then the court shall declare such
property forfeited in favor of the State, and by virtue of such judgment the property aforesaid shall
become property of the State.
Importation of any dangerous drug, regardless of the quantity and purity involved, including any and
all species of opium poppy or any part thereof or substances derived thereform even for floral,
decorative and culinary purposes.
Importation of any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential chemical through the
use of a diplomatic passport, diplomatic facilities or any other means involving his/her official status
intended to facilitate the unlawful entry.
Organizing, managing, or acting as a “financier” of any of the illegal activities penalized under
Section 4 of the Law.
Use by drug pushers of minors or mentally incapacitated individuals as runners, couriers and
messengers, or in any other capacity directly connected to the trade of dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursor and chemicals.
Maintenance of a Den, Dive or Resort where any dangerous drug is used or sold in any form.
Maintenance of a Den, Dive or Resort where any controlled precursors and essential chemical is
used or sold in any form.
Possession of Drug.
Possession of equipment, Instrument, Apparatus, and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs
Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs
during Parties, Social Gathering or Meetings.
In addition to the penalties prescribed in the unlawful act committed, any alien who violates such
provisions of the Law, after service n case the violation of the Law is committed by a partnership,
corporation, association or any juridical entity, the partner, president, director, manager, trustee,
estate administrator, or officer who consents to or knowingly tolerates such violation shall be held
criminally liable as co-principal.
The penalty provided for the offense under the Law shall be imposed upon the partner, president,
director, manager, trustee, estate administrator, or officer who knowingly authorizes, tolerates, or
consents to the use of a vehicle, vessel, aircraft, equipment or other facility as an instrument in the
importation, sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, transportation, or
manufacture of dangerous drugs, or chemical diversion, if such vehicle, aircraft, equipment or other
instrument is owned by or under the control or supervision of the partnership, corporation,
association or juridical entity to which they are affiliated.
Any public officer or employee who (1) misappropriates, (2) misapplies or (3) fails to account for
confiscated, seized or surrendered drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors
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and essential chemicals, instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment including the
proceeds or properties obtained from the unlawful acts punished under the Law shall be penalized
with life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging fromP500,000.00 to P10,000,000.00 and with
perpetual disqualification from any public office (Sec.27).
Any government official or employee found guilty of the unlawful acts punished under the Law shall
be imposed the maximum penalties provided for the offense and shall be absolutely perpetually
disqualified from holding any public office. (Sec. 28).
CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF ELECTIVE LOCAL OR NATIONAL OFFICIALS WHO BENEFITS FROM DRUG
TRAFFICKING – whether or not he know that it came from drugs, but the one who gave must be
convicted first by final judgment.
Any elective local or national official found to have (1) benefited from the proceeds of the
trafficking of dangerous drugs as prescribed in the Law, or has (2) received any financial or material
contributions or donations from natural or juridical persons found guilty of trafficking dangerous
drug as prescribed in the law, shall be removed from office and perpetually disqualified from holding
any elective or appointive positions in the government, its divisions, subdivisions, and
intermediaries, including government-owned or controlled corporations (\sec.27)
CRIMINAL LIABILITY OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL
Any person found guilty of “planting” any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and essential
chemical, regardless of quantity and purity, shall be punished with death. (Sec. 29).
Any person violating any regulation issued by the Dangerous Drug Board shall be punished with
imprisonment ranging from 6 months and 1 day to 4 years and a fine ranging from P10,000.00 to
P50,000.00 in addition to the administrative sanction which may be imposed by the Board (Sec.
32)
III. Jurisprudence
People vs. Darisan (G.R. No. 176151, January 30, 2009)
The Supreme Court in this case held that It is a settled rule that in cases involving violations
of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, credence is given to prosecution witnesses who are
police officers for they are presumed to have performed their duties in a regular manner, unless
there is evidence to the contrary.8 In this case, no evidence was adduced showing any irregularity in
any material aspect of the conduct of the buy-bust operation. Neither was there any proof that the
prosecution witnesses who were members of the buy-bust operation team, particularly those whose
testimonies were in question, were impelled by any ill-feeling or improper motive against appellants
which would raise a doubt about their credibility.
People vs. Llamado y Cruz (G.R. No. 185278, March 13, 2009)
In cases involving violations of Dangerous Drugs Act, credence should be given to the narration of the
incident by the prosecution witnesses especially when they are police officers who are presumed to have
performed their duties in a regular manner, unless there be evidence to the contrary. Moreover, in the
absence of proof of motive to falsely impute such a serious crime against the appellant, the presumption of
regularity in the performance of official duty, as well as the findings of the trial court on the credibility of
witnesses, shall prevail over appellant’s self-serving and uncorroborated denial.