Criminal Law Book 2 Titles 1-8
Criminal Law Book 2 Titles 1-8
Criminal Law Book 2 Titles 1-8
TITLE ONE
1) Levies war against the government, 1. breech of allegiance 2. actual assembling of men 3. for the purpose of executing a treasonable design 2) Adheres to the enemies, giving them aid and comfort 1. breech of allegiance 2. adherence 3. giving aid or comfort to the enemy
Requirements of levying war 1) Actual assembling of men; 2) To execute a treasonable design by force;
Crimes against the law of nations 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Inciting to war or giving motives for reprisals (Art. 118); Violation of neutrality (Art. 119); Corresponding with country (Art. 120); hostile
3) Intent is to deliver the country in whole or in part to the enemy; and 4) Collaboration with foreign enemy or some foreign sovereign
Success is not important. What matters is the actual assembly of men and the execution of treasonable design by force.
Ways of proving treason:
Flight to enemy's country (Art. 121); and Piracy in general and mutiny on the high seas (Art. 122).
a. 2 witnesses testifying to same overt act The testimonies must refer to the same act, place and moment of time. Treason cannot be proved by circumstantial evidence or by extrajudicial confession. Example: X saw arms landed in La Union and loaded into a motor vehicle. At this stage, not sufficient to convict yet. Y later saw the arms unloaded in a warehouse. Will X + Y be sufficient witnesses to convict? Answer: NO. Because the law requires that 2 witnesses see the SAME OVERT ACT.
The crimes under this title can be prosecuted even if the criminal act or acts were committed outside the Philippine territorial jurisdiction. However, prosecution can proceed only if the offender is within Philippine territory or brought to the Philippines pursuant to an extradition treaty. This is one of the instances where the Revised Penal Code may be given extraterritorial application under Article 2 (5) thereof. In the case of crimes against the law of nations, the offender can be prosecuted whenever he may be found because the crimes are regarded as committed against humanity in general.
c. Alien:
with permanent resident status from the BID it is neither the length of stay in the Philippines nor the marriage with a Filipino that matters.
Actual hostilities may determine the date of the commencement of war No such thing as attempted treason; mere attempt consummates the crime Giving aid or comfort material element, enhances forces of the enemy country.
Treason: breach of allegiance to the government, committed by a person who owes allegiance to it. Allegiance: obligation of fidelity and obedience. It is permanent or temporary depending on whether the person is a citizen or an alien. Evident premeditation, superior strength and treachery are circumstances inherent in treason, and are, therefore, not aggravating. Treason cannot be committed in times of peace, only in times of war actual hostilities. But no need for declaration of war
Acts which strengthen or tend to strengthen the enemy in the conduct of war against the traitors country or that which weaken and tend to weaken the power of the same. Example: Financing arms procurement of enemy country. But giving of shelter is not necessarily giving aid and comfort.
Not Treasonous: a. Acceptance of public office and discharge of official duties under the enemy does not constitute per se the felony of treason (exception: when it is policy determining)
b. Serving
in a puppet government (ministerial functions) and in order to serve the populace is NOT treasonous. But it is treason if: a) there is discretion involved; b) inflicts harm on Filipinos; c) it is disadvantageous to them.
Adherence: when a citizen intellectually or emotionally favors the enemy and harbors convictions disloyal to his countrys policy. But membership in the police force during the occupation is NOT treason. Example: Giving information to, or commandeering foodstuffs for the enemy.
c. Purpose of offender: to deliver the Philippines to enemy country; if merely to change officials not treason On Citizenship a. Filipino citizens can commit treason outside the Philippines. But that of an alien must be committed in the Philippines.
Treason is a CONTINUING CRIME. Even after the war, offender can be prosecuted.
Treason is a continuing offense. It can be committed by a single act or by a series of acts. It can be committed in one single time or at different times and only one criminal intent. In construing the provisions relating to the commission of several acts, the same must be done in pursuance or furtherance of the act of treason. No matter how many acts of treason are committed by the offender, he will be liable for only one crime of treason.
The manner in which both crimes are committed in the same. In treason however, the purpose of the offender is to deliver the government to the enemy country or to a foreign power. In rebellion , the purpose of the rebels is to substitute the government with their own form of government. No foreign power is involved.
Treason Sedition. distinguished from
If you convict a person for treason by reason of irresistible force or uncontrollable fear, you may use Art.12. No treason through negligence
In the imposition of the penalty for the crime of treason, the court may disregard the presence of mitigating and aggravating circumstances. It may consider only the number, nature and gravity of the acts established during the trial. The imposition of the penalty rests largely on the exercise of judicial discretion. Defenses that may be availed of by the accused. 1. 2. Duress or uncontrollable fear of immediate death; and Lawful obedience to a de facto government. When killings and other common crimes are charged as overt act of treason, they cannot be regarded as (1) separate crimes or (2) as complex with treason.
In treason , the offender repudiates his allegiance to the government by means of force or intimidation. He does not recognize the supreme authority of the State. He violates his allegiance by fighting the forces of the duly constituted authorities. In sedition , the offender disagrees with certain policies of the State and seeks to disturb public peace by raising a commotion or public uprising.
In the act of levying war or giving aid or comfort to the enemy, murder, robbery, arson or falsification may be committed by the offender. BUT the offender does not commit the crime of treason complexed with common crimes
This crime does not apply if the crime of treason is already committed Crime of omission
This is a felony by omission although committed with dolo, not with culpa.
While Treason as a crime should be established by the two-witness rule, the same is not observed when the crime committed conspiracy to commit treason or when it is only a proposal to commit treason.
To report within a reasonable time depends on time, place and circumstance the RPC did not fix time. RPC states 4 individuals, what if you report to some other high-ranking government official? Ex. PNP Director? Judge Pimentel says any govt official of the DILG is OK.
Whether the conspirators are parents or children, and the ones who learn the conspiracy is a parent or child, they are required to report the same. The reason is that although blood is thicker than water so to speak, when it comes to security of the state, blood relationship is always subservient to national security. Article 20 does not apply here because the persons found liable for this crime are not considered accessories; they are treated as principals.
Article 117 Espionage by entering, without authority therefor, warship, fort, or naval or military establishments or reservation to obtain any information, plans, photographs or other data of a confidential nature relative to the defense of the Philippines.
ELEMENTS: a. 1. That the offender enters any of the places mentioned therein 2 3 2. That he has no authority therefore; b. That his purpose is to obtain information, plans, photographs or other data of a confidential nature
Take note that the offender is a principal to the crime of misprision of treason, yet he is penalized only as an accessory. In the imposition of the penalty, the court is not bound by the provisions of Article 63 and 64, referring to indivisible penalties. In the presence of mitigating and aggravating circumstances, the offender is punished
Wiretapping is NOT espionage if the purpose is not something connected with the defense
Commonwealth Act No. 616 An Act to Punish Espionage and Other Offenses against National Security Acts punished 1. Unlawfully obtaining or permitting to be obtained information affecting national defense; Unlawful disclosing of information affecting national defense; Disloyal acts or words in times of peace; Disloyal acts or words in times of war; Conspiracy sections; to violate preceding
Espionage by disclosing to the representative of a foreign nation the contents of the articles, data, or information referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 117, which he had in his possession by reason of the public office holds
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer b. That he has in his possession the articles, data or information referred to in par 1 of art 117, by reason of the public office he holds c. That he discloses their contents to a representative of a foreign nation
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. information
Under the second mode, the offender must be a public officer who has in possession the articles, data or information by reason of the office he holds. Taking advantage of his official position, he reveals or discloses the information which are confidential and are relevant to the defense of the Philippines.
Espionage: the offense of gathering, transmitting, or losing information respecting the national defense with the intent or reason to believe that the information is to be used to the injury of the Philippines or the advantage of any foreign nation. It is not conditioned on citizenship. Not necessary that Philippines is at war with the country to which the information was revealed. What is
Example. X burns Chinese flag. If China bans the entry of Filipinos into China, that is already reprisal.
2. carried on in ciphers or conventional signs, or 3. containing notice or information which might be useful to the enemy 1 2 3 Circumstances qualifying the offense: a. notice or information might be useful to the enemy b. offender intended to aid the enemy Hostile country exist only during hostilities or after the declaration of war Correspondence to enemy country correspondence to officials of enemy country even if related to you. It is not correspondence with private individual in enemy country If ciphers were used, no need for prohibition If ciphers were not used, there is a need for prohibition In any case, it must be correspondence with the enemy country Doesnt matter if correspondence contains innocent matters if prohibited, punishable
The regulation must be issued by a competent authority like the President of the Philippines or the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, during a war between different countries in which the Philippines is not taking sides. It is neutrality of the Phil that is violated Congress has the right to declare neutrality
The violations can be done either by means of dolo or by means of culpa. So violation of neutrality can be committed through reckless imprudence.
WITH
Piracy in high seas jurisdiction is with any court where offenders are found or arrested Piracy in internal waters jurisdiction is only with Philippine courts For purpose of Anti-Fencing Law, piracy is part of robbery and theft
There must be a prohibition. If none, even if went to enemy country no violation Alien resident may be guilty here.
Piracy Robbery or forcible degradation on the high seas, without lawful authority and done with animo lucrandi and in the spirit and intention of universal hostility.
Intent to gain is an element. No criminal inten Attack from outside. Offenders are Attack from the in strangers to the vessel.
under the amended article, piracy can only be committed by a person who is not a passenger nor member of the complement of the vessel irrespective of venue. So if a passenger or complement of the vessel commits acts of robbery in the high seas, the crime is robbery, not piracy. If in the Phil. waters still piracy
However, despite the amendment, P.D. No. 532 may still apply where the offender is not stranger to the vessel since it provides: Any attack upon or seize of any vessel, or the taking away of the whole of part thereof or its cargo, equipment or the personal belongings of its complement or passengers, irrespective of the value hereof, by means of violence against or intimidation of persons or force upon things, committed by any person, including a passenger or member of the complement of said vessel, in Philippine waters , shall be considered as piracy. The offenders shall be considered as pirates and punished as hereinafter provided. After all, under the Revised Penal Code, for one to be called a pirate, the offender must be a stranger to the vessel. While the Article 122 limits the offenders to non-passengers or nonmembers of the crew, P.D. 532 states that the attack upon or seizure of any
High seas: any waters on the sea coast which are without the boundaries of the low water mark
be
In piracy, where rape, murder or homicide is committed, the mandatory penalty of death is imposable. This means that even if the accused enters a plea of guilty, the penalty of death will still be imposed because death is a single and indispensable penalty. (People vs. Rodriguez, 135 SCRA 485) The penalty for qualified piracy is reclusion perpetua to death. If any of the circumstances enumerated under the law is proven or established, the mandatory penalty of death should be imposed. The presence of mitigating or aggravating circumstances will be ignored by the court.
Although in Article 123 merely refers to qualified piracy, there is also the crime of qualified mutiny. Mutiny is qualified under the following circumstances:
Elements of mutiny 1) The vessel is on the high seas or Philippine waters; 2) Offenders are either members of its complement, or passengers of the vessel;
3) Offenders either a. b. attack or seize the vessel; or seize the whole or part of the cargo, its equipment, or
(2)
Note that the first circumstance which qualifies piracy does not apply to mutiny.
(2)
(3)
Questions & Answers 1. The pilots of the Pan Am aircraft were accosted by some armed men and were told to proceed to the aircraft to fly it to a foreign destination. The armed men walked with the pilots and went on board the aircraft. But before they could do anything on the aircraft, alert marshals arrested them. What crime was committed? The criminal intent definitely is to take control of the aircraft, which is hijacking. It is a question now of whether the anti-hi-jacking law shall govern. The anti hi-jacking law is applicable in this case. Even if the aircraft is not yet about to fly, the requirement that it be in flight does not hold true when in comes to aircraft of foreign registry. Even if the problem does not say that all exterior doors are closed, the crime is hi-jacking. Since the aircraft is of foreign registry, under the law, simply usurping or seizing control is enough as long as the aircraft is within Philippine territory, without the requirement that it be in flight.
(4)
Between numbers 1 and 2, the point of distinction is whether the aircraft is of Philippine registry or foreign registry. The common bar question on this law usually involves number 1. The important thing is that before the anti hi-jacking law can apply, the aircraft must be in flight. If not in flight, whatever crimes committed shall be governed by the Revised Penal Code. The law makes a distinction between aircraft of a foreign registry and of Philippine registry. If the aircraft subject of the hi-jack is of Philippine registry, it should be in flight at the time of the hi-jacking. Otherwise, the anti hi-jacking law will not apply and the crime is
TITLE TWO
11 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA CRIMES AGAINST THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF THE STATE
Crimes against the fundamental laws of the State 1. 2. Arbitrary detention (Art. 124); Delay in the delivery of detained persons to the proper judicial authorities (Art. 125); Delaying release (Art. 126); Expulsion (Art. 127); Violation of domicile (Art. 128); Search warrants maliciously obtained and abuse in the service of those legally obtained (Art. 129); Searching domicile witnesses (Art. 130); without
3. 4. 5. 6.
b. c.
That he detains a person (actual restraint). That the detention was without legal grounds (cannot be committed if with warrant).
7. 8.
Prohibition, interruption, and dissolution of peaceful meetings (Art. 131); Interruption of religious worship (Art. 132); and Offending the religious feelings (Art. 133);
Only those public officers whose official duties carry with it the authority to make an arrest and detain persons can be guilty of this crime. So, if the offender does not possess such authority, the crime committed by him is illegal detention.
9. 10.
Though the elements specify that the offender be a public officer or employee, private individuals who conspire with public officers can also be liable.
Under this title, the offenders are public officers, except as to the last crime offending the religious feelings under Article 133, which refers to any person. The public officers who may be held liable are only those acting under supposed exercise of official functions, albeit illegally. But private persons may also be liable under this title as when a private person conspires with a public officer. What is required is that the principal offender must be a public officer. Thus, if a private person conspires with a public officer, or becomes an accessory or accomplice, the private person also becomes liable for the same crime. But a private person acting alone cannot commit the crimes under Article 124 to 132 of this title.
In a case decided by the Supreme Court a Barangay Chairman who unlawfully detains another was held to be guilty of the crime of arbitrary detention. This is because he is a person in authority vested with the jurisdiction to maintain peace and order within his barangay. In the maintenance of such peace and order, he may cause the arrest and detention of troublemakers or those who disturb the peace and order within his barangay. But if the legal basis for the apprehension and detention does not exist, then the detention becomes arbitrary.
Legal grounds for the detention of any person: a. commission of a crime b. violent insanity or other ailment requiring compulsory confinement of the patient in a hospital c. escaped prisoner
Classes of Arbitrary Detention: a. By detaining a person without legal ground b. Delay in the delivery of detained persons to the proper judicial authorities c. Delaying release
Ramos v. Enrile: Rebels later on retire. According to the SC, once you have committed rebellion and have not been punished or amnestied, then the rebels continue to engage in rebellion, unless the rebels renounce his affiliation. Arrest can be made without a warrant because this is a continuing crime.
Distinction between arbitrary detention and illegal detention 1. In arbitrary detention -The principal offender must be a public officer. Civilians cannot commit the crime of arbitrary detention except when they conspire with a public officer committing this crime, or become an accomplice or accessory to the crime committed by the public officer; and The offender who is a public officer has a duty which carries with it the authority to detain a person. 2. In illegal detention -The principal offender is a private person. But a public officer can commit the crime of illegal detention when he is acting in a private capacity or beyond the scope of his official duty, or when he becomes an accomplice or accessory to the crime committed by a private person. The offender, even if he is a public officer, does not include as his function the power to arrest and detain a person, unless he conspires with a public officer committing arbitrary detention. Whether the crime is arbitrary detention or illegal detention, it is necessary that there must be an actual restraint of liberty of the offended party. If there is no actual restraint, as the offended party may still go to the place where he wants to go, even though there have been warnings, the crime of arbitrary detention or illegal detention is not committed. There is either grave or light threat. However, if the victim is under guard in his movement such that there is still restraint of liberty, then the crime of either arbitrary or illegal detention is still committed. Distinction between arbitrary detention and unlawful arrest (1) As to offender
For escaped prisoner no need for warrant Example: Y was killed by unknown assailant. Officers got a tip and arrested X. X voluntarily admitted to the officers that he did it although he was not asked. X was detained immediately. According to the SC, there was NO arbitrary detention. Why? Because once X made a confession, the officers had a right to arrest him.
Arbitrary detention can be committed thru simple imprudence or negligence. (People vs. Misa) Periods of Detention penalized: 1. Detention not exceeding three days; 2. Detention for more than three days but not more than 15 days; 3. Detention for more than 15 days but not more than 6 months; and 4. Detention for more than 6 months. Continuing crime is different from a continuous crime
Really means delay in filing necessary information or charging of person detained in court. May be waived if a preliminary investigation is asked for.
Under the Revised Rules of Court, when the person arrested is arrested for a crime which gives him the right to preliminary investigation and he wants to avail his right to a preliminary investigation, he would have to waive in writing his rights under Article 125 so that the arresting officer will not immediately file the case with the court that will exercise jurisdiction over the case. If he does not want to waive this in writing, the arresting officer will have to comply with Article 125 and file the case immediately in court without preliminary investigation. In such case, the arrested person, within five days after learning that the case has been filed in court without preliminary investigation, may ask for preliminary investigation. In this case, the public officer who made the arrest will no longer be liable for violation of Article 125.
Does not contemplate actual physical delivery but at least there must be a complaint filed. Duty complied with upon the filing of the complaint with the judicial authority (courts, prosecutors though technically not a judicial authority, for purposes of this article, hes considered as one.)
Delivery of detained person consists in making charge of filing a compliant against the prisoner with the proper judicial authority. It does not involve the physical delivery of the prisoner before the judge (Sayo vs. Chief of Police). The filing of the information in court does not cure illegality of detention. Neither does it affect the legality of the confinement under process issued by the court. To escape from this, officers usually ask accused to execute a waiver which should be under oath and with assistance of counsel. Such waiver is not violative of the accused constitutional right.
Q. Within what period should a police officer who has arrested a person under a warrant of arrest turn over the arrested person to the judicial authority? A. There is no time limit specified except that the return must be made within a reasonable time. The period fixed by law under Article 125 does not apply because the arrest was made by virtue of a warrant of arrest.
Wardens and jailers are the persons most likely to violate this provision Provision legislation does not include
2 acts punishable: a. by expelling a person from the Philippines b. by compelling a person change his residence to
b. That he is not authorized by judicial order to enter the dwelling and/or to make a search therein for papers or other effects c. That he commits any of the following acts: 1. entering any dwelling against the will of the owner thereof 2. searching papers or other effects found therein without the previous consent of such owner 3. refusing to leave the premises, after having surreptitiously entered said dwelling and after having been required to leave the same
In the Philippines, only the President of the Republic has the power to deport aliens whose continued stay in the country constitutes a menace to the peace and safety of the community. In the case of Filipino citizens, only the court, by final judgment, can order a person to change his residence.
In Villavicencio v. Lukban, 39 Phil 778, the mayor of the City of Manila wanted to make the city free from prostitution. He ordered certain prostitutes to be transferred to Davao, without observing due processes since they have not been charged with any crime at all. It was held that the crime committed was expulsion.
Aggravating Circumstance (medium and maximum of penalty imposed): a. Offense committed at nighttime b. Papers or effects not constituting evidence of a crime be not returned immediately
1. Certain aliens were arrested and they were just put on the first aircraft which brought them to the country so that they may be out without due process of law. Was there a crime committed? Yes. Expulsion. 2. If a Filipino citizen is sent out of the country, what crime is committed? Grave coercion, not expulsion, because a Filipino cannot be deported. This crime refers only to aliens.
If X (Filipino) after he voluntarily left, is refused re-entry is considered forcing him to change his address here Threat to national security is not a ground to expel or change his address.
In order to commit this crime, the entry must be against the will of the owner. If the entry is only without the consent of the owner, the crime of violation of domicile is not committed. The prohibition may be expressed or implied. If the signs Do not enter and Strangers keep out are posted in front of the house or dwelling, then the prohibition is express. If the door is locked, or even if it is open but these are barriers to indicate the manifest intention of the owner to bar strangers from entering, there is implied prohibition. The primary object of the law is to preserve the privacy of abode of the offended party. Hence, if the privacy is already lost, as when the offender has been allowed by the owner to enter the dwelling together with other persons, any subsequent change of attitude will not restore the privacy which was already lost. When privacy is waived, trespass to dwelling or violation of domicile cannot be committed.
Being authorized by law means with search warrant, to save himself or do some things good for humanity
There are only three recognized instances when search without a warrant is considered valid, and, therefore, the seizure of any evidence done is also valid. Outside of these, search would be invalid and the objects seized would not be admissible in evidence. (1) (2) Search made incidental to a valid arrest; Where the search was made on a moving vehicle or vessel such that the exigency of he situation prevents the searching officer from securing a search warrant; When the article seized is within plain view of the officer making the seizure without making a search therefore.
(3)
3 acts punishable: a. person enters dwelling w/o consent or against the will
In the plain view doctrine, public officer should be legally entitled to be in the place where the effects were found. If he entered the place illegally and he saw the effects, doctrine inapplicable; thus, he is liable for violation of domicile.
In order that a search warrant may be issued, it must be based on probable cause in connection with one offense, to be determined by a judge after examination under oath of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
The true test of lack of just cause is whether the sworn statement filed in support of the application for search warrant has been done in such a manner that perjury could be charged and the affiant can be held liable for making such false statement. The oath required refers to the truth of the facts within the personal knowledge of the applicant and his witnesses.
ABUSE IN THE SERVICE OF WARRANT OR EXCEEDING AUTHORITY OR USING UNNECESSARY SEVERITY IN EXECUTING A SEARCH WARRANT LEGALLY PROCURED
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer or employee b. That he has procured a search warrant legally
Malicious warrant. Example. X was a respondent of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms. A return was made. The gun did not belong to X and the witness had no personal knowledge that there is a gun in that place. Abuse examples: a. X owner was handcuffed while search was going-on. b. Tank was used to ram gate prior to announcement that a search will be made
The search warrant is not a license to commit destruction.
not
c. That he exceeds his authority or uses unnecessary severity in executing the same Search warrant is valid for 10 days from its date Search warrant is an order in writing issued in the name of the People, signed by the judge and directed to a public officer, commanding him to search for personal property described therein and bring it before the court No just cause warrant is unjustified Search limited to what is described in the warrant, all details must be with particularity
Validity of the search warrant can be questioned only in 2 courts: 1) where issued or 2) where the case is pending. Latter is preferred for objective determination.
Two criteria to determine whether Article 131 would be violated: (1) Dangerous tendency rule applicable in times of national unrest such as to prevent coup detat. Clear and present danger rule applied in times of peace. Stricter rule.
Article 130 has no application to search and seizure made on moving vehicles because the application of this law is limited to dwelling and personal properties such as papers and effects found therein. There are searches and seizures which are authorized by law and which can be done without the attendance of witnesses. For instance, the Tariff and Customs Code authorizes persons with police authority under Sec. 2203, to enter; pass through or search any land, enclosure, warehouse, store or building, not being used as a dwelling house; and to inspect, search and examine any vessel or aircraft, and any trunk, package, box or envelope, or any person on board, or to stop and search and examine any vehicle, beast or person suspected of holding or conveying any dutiable or prohibited article introduced into the Philippines contrary to law.
(2)
If the offender is a private individual, the crime is disturbance of public order (Art 153) Meeting must be peaceful and there is no legal ground for prohibiting, dissolving or interrupting that meeting
If in the course of the assembly the participants commit illegal acts like oral defamation or inciting to sedition, a public officer or law enforcer can stop or dissolve the meeting. The permit given is not a license to commit a crime.
If the permit is denied arbitrarily, Article 131 is violated. If the officer would not give the permit unless the meeting is held in a particular place which he dictates defeats the exercise of the right to peaceably assemble, Article 131 is violated.
Offender must be a stranger, not a participant, in the peaceful meeting; otherwise, its unjust vexation Interrupting and dissolving a meeting of the municipal council by a public officer is a crime against the legislative body, not punishable under this article
1. prohibiting
without
Circumstance qualifying the offense: if committed with violence or threats Reading of Bible and then attacking certain churches in a public plaza is not a ceremony or manifestation of religion, but only a meeting of a religious sect. But if done in a private home, its a religious service Religious Worship: people in the act of performing religious rites for a religious ceremony; a manifestation of religion. Ex. Mass, baptism, marriage X, a private person, boxed a priest while the priest was giving homily and while the latter was maligning a relative of X. Is X liable? X may be liable under Art 133 because X is a private person. When priest is solemnizing marriage, he is a person in authority, although in other cases, hes not.
Distinctions between prohibition, interruption, or dissolution of peaceful meetings under Article 131, and tumults and other disturbances, under Article 153 (1) As to the participation of the public officer In Article 131, the public officer is not a participant. As far as the gathering is concerned, the public officer is a third party. If the public officer is a participant of the assembly and he prohibits, interrupts, or dissolves the same, Article 153 is violated if the same is conducted in a public place. (2) As to the essence of the crime In Article 131, the offender must be a public officer and, without any legal ground, he prohibits, interrupts, or dissolves a peaceful meeting or assembly to prevent the offended party from exercising his freedom of speech and that of the assembly to petition a grievance against the government. In Article 153, the offender need not be a public officer. The essence of the crime is that of creating a serious disturbance of any sort in a public office, public building or even a private place where a public function is being held.
OF
RELIGIOUS
In determining whether an act is offensive to the feelings of the faithful, the same must be viewed or judged from the standpoint of the offended religion and not from the point of view of the offender (People vs. Baes, 68 Phil. 203).
Disloyalty to public officers or employees (Art. 137); Inciting to rebellion (Art. 138);
CRIME Prohibition, Interruption and Dissolution of Peaceful Meeting (131) Interruption of Religious Worship (132)
5. Sedition (Art. 139); Nature of Crime Who are Liable Crime against the Public 6. officers, Conspiracy to commit sedition fundamental law of Outsiders (Art. 141); the state 7. Inciting to sedition (Art. 142); Crime against the Public 8. officers, Acts tending to prevent the fundamental law of Outsiders meeting of Congress and similar the state bodies (Art. 143); Disturbance of proceedings of Congress or similar bodies (Art. Public officers, 144); private persons, outsiders 10. Violation of parliamentary immunity (Art. 145); 11. 12. Illegal assemblies (Art. 146); Illegal associations (Art. 147); 9.
16.
17. 18.
2. taking
b. That the purpose of the uprising or movement is either 1. to remove from the allegiance to said government or its laws 4 5 i. the territory of the Philippines or any part thereof, or
The crime of rebellion cannot be committed by a single individual. Invariably, it is committed by several persons for the purpose of overthrowing the duly constituted or organized government. In the Philippines, what is known to the ordinary citizen as a symbol of Government would be the barangay, represented by its officials; the local government represented by the provincial and municipal officials; and the national government
The crime of rebellion is essentially a political crime. The intention of the rebel is to substitute himself in place of those who are in power. His method of placing himself in authority with the use of violence, duress or intimidation, assassination or the commission of common crimes like murder, kidnapping, arson, robbery and other heinous crimes in what we call rebellion.
RISING PUBLICLY and TAKING ARMS AGAINST GOVERNMENT actual participation. If there is no public uprising, the crime is of direct assault.
Rebellion used where the object of the movement is completely to overthrow and supersede the existing government Insurrection refers to a movement which seeks merely to effect some change of minor importance to prevent the exercise of govt authority w/ respect to particular matters or subjects The phrase to remove allegiance from the government is used to emphasize that the object of the uprising could be limited to certain areas, like isolating a barangay or municipality or a province in its loyalty to the duly constituted government or the national government.
When any of the objectives of rebellion is pursued but there is no public uprising in the legal sense, the crime is direct assault of the first form. But if there is rebellion, with public uprising, direct assault cannot be committed.
Mere giving of aid or comfort is not criminal in the case of rebellion. Merely sympathizing is not participation, there must be ACTUAL participation
There must be a public apprising and taking up of arms for the specified purpose or purposes mentioned in Article 134. The acts of the accused who is not a member of the Hukbalahap organization of sending cigarettes and food supplies to a Huk leader; the changing of dollars into pesos for a top level communist; and the helping of Huks in opening accounts with the bank of which he was an official, do not constitute Rebellion. (Carino vs. People, et al., 7 SCRA 900). Not necessary that there is killing, mere threat of removing Phil is sufficient
Allegiance is a generic term which includes loyalty, civil obedience and civil service.
The law on rebellion however, does not speak only of allegiance or loss of territory. It also includes the efforts of the rebel to deprive the President of the Philippines of the exercise of his power to enforce the law, to exact obedience of laws and regulations duly enacted and promulgated by the duly constituted authorities. Actual clash of arms w/ the forces of the govt, not necessary to convict the accused who is in conspiracy w/
Rebellion may be committed even without a single shot being fired. No encounter needed. Mere public uprising with arms enough.
Common crimes perpetrated in furtherance of a political offense are divested of their character as common offenses and assume the political complexion of the main crime which they are mere ingredients, and consequently, cannot be punished
COUP D ETAT
ELEMENTS: a. Swift attack b. Accompanied by violence, intimidation, threat, strategy or stealth c. Directed against: 1. duly constituted authorities 2. any military camp or installation 3. communication networks or public utilities 4. other facilities needed for the exercise and continued possession of power
The offense of illegal possession of firearm is a malum prohibitum, in which case, good faith and absence of criminal intent are not valid defenses.
Furthermore, it is a continuing crime such along with the crime of conspiracy or proposal to commit such A private crime may be committed during rebellion. Examples: killing, possessions of firearms, illegal association are absorbed. Rape, even if not in furtherance of rebellion cannot be complexed If killing, robbing were done for private purposes or for profit, without any political motivation, the crime would be separately be punished and would not be embraced by rebellion (People v. Fernando) Person deemed leader of rebellion in case he is unknown: Any person who in fact: a. directed the others b. spoke for them c. signed receipts and other documents issued in their name d. performed similar acts on behalf of the rebels
rebellion and
d. Singly or simultaneously carried out anywhere in the Philippines d. Committed by any person or persons belonging to the military or police or holding any public office or employment; with or without civilian support or participation
e. With or without civilian support or participation f. Purpose of seizing or diminishing state power
The essence of the crime is a swift attack upon the facilities of the Philippine government, military camps and installations, communication networks, public utilities and facilities essential to the continued possession of governmental powers. It may be committed singly or collectively and does not require a multitude of people.
In rebellion, there must be taking up or arms against the government. In sedition, it is sufficient that the public uprising be tumultuous. (2) As to purpose In rebellion, the purpose is always political. In sedition, the purpose may be political or social. Example: the uprising of squatters against Forbes park residents. The purpose in sedition is to go against established government, not to overthrow it.
The objective may not be to overthrow the government but only to destabilize or paralyze the government through the seizure of facilities and utilities essential to the continued possession and exercise of governmental powers. It requires as principal offender a member of the AFP or of the PNP organization or a public officer with or without civilian support. Finally, it may be carried out not only by force or violence but also through stealth, threat or strategy.
Article 134-A
When conspiracy is present in the commission of the crime, the act of one is the act of all. In committing rebellion and coup detat, even if conspiracy as a means to commit the crime is established, the principal of criminal In both instances, the offenders intend liability under Article 17 of the Revised to substitute themselves in place of Penal Code is not followed. those who are in power. In Government Service Anyone who leads, directs, commands others Treason (114) Rebellion (134) to undertake a coup. Nature Crime against o National Security f C r i m e Overt levying war A against the govt; c OR t adherence and s giving aid or comfort to enemies Purpose Deliver the govt of to enemy during objectiv war e Crime against Public Order Serious violence is that inflicted upon civilians, which may result in homicide. It is not limited to hostilities against the armed force. Diverting public funds is malversation absorbed in rebellion
N Anyone w supports, f
Public uprising NOTES: AND a. Public officer must take Taking up arms active part because mere silence against the govt or omission not punishable in rebellion See article. b. It is not a defense in rebellion that the accused never took the oath of allegiance to, or that they never recognized the government c. Rebellion cannot be complexed with murder and other common crimes committed in pursuance of the movement to overthrow the government Subversion, just like the crimes of rebellion, conspiracy or proposal to commit the crimes of rebellion or subversion and crimes or offenses committed in furtherance thereof constitute direct assaults against the State and are in the nature of continuing crimes ( Umil vs. Ramos). d. Killing, robbing etc for private persons or for profit, without any political motivation, would be separately punished
or
b. Any person who, while holding any public office or employment, takes part therein 1. engaging in war against the forces of the govt 2. destroying property or committing serious violence
PUBLIC AND
ACTS PUNISHED: a. Failing to resist rebellion by all the means in their power b. Continuing to discharge the duties of their offices under the control of rebels c. Accepting appointment to office under rebels
Presupposes existence of rebellion Must not be in conspiracy with rebels or coup plotters If there are means to prevent the rebellion but did not resist it, then theres disloyalty. If there are no means, no fault If position is accepted in order to protect the people, not covered by this The collaborator must not have tried to impose the wishes of the rebels on the people.
Disloyalty as a crime is not limited to rebellion alone but should now include the crime of coup detat. Rebellion is essentially a crime committed by private individuals while coup detat is a crime that should be classified as a crime committed by public officers like malversation, bribery, dereliction of duty and violations of the anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. If the public officer or employee, aside from being disloyal, does or commits acts constituting the crime of rebellion or coup detat, he will no longer be charged for the simple crime of disloyalty but he shall be proceeded against for the grave offense of rebellion or coup detat.
Article 137
One who promotes, maintains or heads a rebellion and who act at the same time incites or influences others to join him in his war efforts against the duly constituted government cannot be held criminally liable for the crime of inciting to rebellion because, as the principal to the crime of rebellion, the act of inciting to commit a rebellion is inherent to the graver crime of rebellion. Proposal to Commit Rebellion (136) The person who proposes has decided to commit rebellion. The person who proposes the execution of the crime uses secret means.
Sedition: raising of commotion or disturbances in the State. Its ultimate object is a violation of the public peace or at least such measures that evidently engenders it. The crime of sedition is committed by rising publicly and tumultuously. The two elements must concur.
The crime of sedition does not contemplate the taking up of arms against the government because the purpose of this crime is not the overthrow of the government. Notice from the purpose of the crime of sedition that the offenders rise publicly and create commotion and disturbance by way of protest to express their dissent and obedience to the government or to the authorities concerned. This is like the so-called civil disobedience except that the means employed, which is violence, is illegal.
2. Tumultuously
c. That the offenders employ any of those means to attain any of the following objects:
In sedition offender may be a private or public person (Ex. Soldier) Public uprising and the object of sedition must concur Q: Are common crimes absorbed in sedition?
The conspiracy must be to prevent the promulgation or execution of any law or the holding of any popular election. It may also be a conspiracy to prevent national and local public officials from freely exercising their duties and functions, or to prevent the execution of an administrative order.
In P v. Umali, SC held that NO. Crimes committed in that case were independent of each other. Preventing election through legal means NOT sedition But when sugar farmers demonstrated and destroyed the properties of sugar barons sedition Persons liable for sedition: a. leader of the sedition, and b. other persons participating in the sedition The objective of the law in criminalizing sedition is to put a limit to the freedom of expression or the right of the people to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievance. The demonstrations conducted or held by the citizenry to protest certain policies of the government is not a crime. But when the protest in manifested in the form of rallies where the participants, in order to attain their objective of overcoming the will of the government, resort to force or violence, the mantle of protection guaranteed under the Constitution to express their dissent peacefully, shall cease to exist, as in
c.
ELEMENTS: a. That there be a projected or actual meeting of Congress or any of its committees or subcommittees, constitutional commissions or committees or division thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board b. That the offender who may be any persons prevents such meeting by force or fraud
The crime is against popular representation because it is directed against officers whose primary function is to meet and enact laws. When these legislative bodies are prevented from meeting and performing their duties, the system of government is disturbed. The three branches of government must continue to exist and perform their duties. Chief of Police and mayor who prevented the meeting of the municipal council are liable under Art 143, when the defect of the meeting is not manifest and requires an investigation before its existence can be determined.
Inciting to sedition is an element of sedition. It cannot be treated as a separate offense against one who is a part of a group that rose up publicly and tumultuously and fought the forces of government.
Considering that the objective of sedition is to express protest against the government and in the process creating hate against public officers, any act that will generate hatred against the government or a public officer concerned or a social class may amount to Inciting to sedition. Article 142 is, therefore, quite broad. The mere meeting for the purpose of discussing hatred against the government is inciting to sedition. Lambasting government officials to discredit the government is Inciting to sedition. But if the objective of such preparatory actions is the overthrow of the government, the crime is inciting to rebellion.
OF
ELEMENTS: a. That there be a meeting of Congress or any of its committees, constitutional commissions or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board b. That the offender does any of the following acts 1. He disturbs any of such meetings 2. He behaves while in the presence of any such bodies in such a manner as to interrupt its proceedings or to impair the respect due it
CRIMES AGAINST POPULAR REPRESENTATION Article 143 ACTS TENDING TO PREVENT THE MEETING OF CONGRESS AND SIMILAR BODIES
The offender is any person and the offended party who is a member of Congress, has not committed any crime to justify the use of force, threat, intimidation or fraud to prevent him from attending the meeting of Congress.
a. Meeting of the first form 1. Meeting, gathering or group of persons whether in a fixed place or moving
b. persons merely present at the meeting (except when presence is out of curiosity not liable) Responsibility of persons merely present at the meeting
Those who incite the audience, by means of speeches, printed matters, and other representation, to commit treason, rebellion or insurrection, sedition or assault a person in authority, shall be deemed leaders or organizers of said meeting.
The gravamen of the offense is mere assembly of or gathering of people for illegal purpose punishable by the Revised Penal Code. Without gathering, there is no illegal assembly. If unlawful purpose is a crime under a special law, there is no illegal assembly. For example, the gathering of drug pushers to facilitate drug trafficking is not illegal assembly because the purpose is not violative of the Revised Penal Code but of The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended, which is a special law.
Two forms of illegal assembly (1) No attendance of armed men, but persons in the meeting are incited to commit treason, rebellion or insurrection, sedition or assault upon
Illegal Assembly (146) Illeg Must be an actual meeting of armed No need for persons to commit any of the crimes punishable under the RPC, or of individuals who, although not armed, are incited to the commission of treason, rebellion, sedition or assault upon a person in authority of his
c.
Public morals refers to crimes punished under Title Six of the Revised Penal Code, namely, gambling, grave scandal, prostitution and vagrancy.
That at the time of the assault the person in authority or his agent (a) is engaged in the actual performance of official duties (motive is not essential), or that he is assaulted (b) by reason of the past performance of official duties (motive is essential).
d.
That the offender knows that the one he is assaulting is a person in authority or his agent in the exercise of his duties (with intention to offend, injure or assault). e. That there is no public uprising. Crime of direct assault can only be committed by means of dolo. It cannot be committed by culpa.
b.
That the aim of the offender is to attain any of the purposes of the crime of rebellion or any of the objects of the crimes of sedition. (victim need not be person in authority) c. That there is no public uprising.
Example of the first form of direct assault: Three men broke into a National Food Authority warehouse and lamented sufferings of the people. They called on people to help themselves to all the rice. They did not even help themselves to a single grain. The crime committed was direct assault. There was no robbery for there was no intent to gain. The crime is direct assault by committing acts of sedition under Article 139 (5), that is, spoiling of the property, for any political or social end, of any person municipality or province or the national government of all or any its property, but there is no public uprising.
Always complexed with the material consequence of the act (e.g. direct assault with murder) except if resulting in a light felony, in which case, the consequence is absorbed
The crime is not based on the material consequence of the unlawful act. The crime of direct assault punishes the spirit of lawlessness and the contempt or hatred for the authority or the rule of law. To be specific, if a judge was killed while he was holding a session, the killing is not the direct assault, but murder. There could be direct assault if the offender killed the judge simply because the judge is so strict in the fulfillment of his duty. It is the spirit of hate which is the essence of direct assault. So, where the spirit is present, it is always complexed with the material consequence of the unlawful act. If the unlawful act was murder or homicide committed under circumstance of lawlessness or contempt of authority, the crime would be direct assault with murder or homicide, as the case may be. In the example of the judge who was killed, the crime is direct assault with murder or homicide. The only time when it is not complexed is when material consequence is a light felony, that is, slight physical injury. Direct assault absorbs the lighter felony; the crime of direct assault can not be separated from the material result of the act. So, if an offender who is charged with direct assault and in another court for the slight physical Injury which is part of the act, acquittal or
ELEMENTS OF THE 2ND FORM OF DIRECT ASSAULT: a. That the offender (a) makes an attack, (b) employs force, (c) makes a serious intimidation, or (d) makes a serious resistance. b. That the person assaulted is a person in authority or his agent.
Hitting the policeman on the chest with fist is not direct assault because if done against an agent of a person in authority, the force employed must be of serious character The force employed need not be serious when the offended party is a person in authority (ex. Laying of hands) The intimidation or resistance must be serious whether the offended party is an agent only or a person in authority (ex. Pointing a gun)
When the person in authority or the agent provoked/attacked first, innocent party is entitled to defend himself and cannot be held liable for assault or resistance nor for physical injuries, because he acts in legitimate self-defense
The offended party in assault must not be the aggressor. If there is unlawful aggression employed by the public officer, any form of resistance which may be in the nature of force against him will be considered as an act of legitimate defense. (People vs. Hernandez, 59 Phil. 343) There can be no assault upon or disobedience to one authority by another when they both contend that they were in the exercise of their respective duties.
Person in authority: any person directly vested with jurisdiction (power or authority to govern and execute the laws) whether as an individual or as a member of some court or governmental corporation, board or commission A barangay captain is a person in authority, so is a Division Superintendent of schools, President of Sanitary Division and a teacher
The offender and the offended party are both public officers. The Supreme Court said that assault may still be committed, as in fact the offender is even subjected to a greater penalty (U.S. vs. Vallejo, 11 Phil. 193). When assault is made by reason of the performance of his duty there is no need for actual performance of his official duty when attacked
In applying the provisions of Articles 148 and 151, teachers, professors, and persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized private schools, colleges and universities and lawyers in the actual performance of their duties or on the occasion of such performance, shall be deemed a person in authority.
In direct assault of the first form, the stature of the offended person is immaterial. The crime is manifested by the spirit of lawlessness. In the second form, you have to distinguish a situation where a person in authority or his agent was attacked while performing official functions, from a situation when he is not performing such functions. If attack was done during the exercise of official functions, the crime is always direct assault. It is enough that the offender knew that the person in authority was performing an official function whatever may be the reason for the attack, although what may have happened was a purely private affair. On the other hand, if the person in authority or the agent was killed when no longer performing official functions, the crime may simply be the material consequence of he unlawful act: murder or homicide. For the crime to be direct assault, the attack must be by reason of his official function in the past. Motive becomes important in this respect.
Agent: is one who, by direct provision of law or by election or by appointment by competent authority, is charged with the maintenance of public order and the protection and security of life and property. (Example. Barrio councilman and any person who comes to the aid of the person in authority, policeman, municipal treasurer, postmaster, sheriff, agents of the BIR, Malacaang confidential agent) Even when the person in authority or the agent agrees to fight, still direct assault.
To be indirect assault, the person who should be aided is the agent (not the person in authority because it is already direct assault, the person coming to the aid of the person in authority being considered as an agent and an attack on the latter is already direct assault). Example. Aiding a policeman under attack.
Complex crime of direct assault with homicide or murder, or with serious physical injuries.
If the crime of direct assault is committed with the use of force and it resulted in the infliction of slight physical injuries, the latter shall not be considered as a separate offense. It shall be absorbed by the greater crime of direct assault. (People vs. Acierto, 57 Phil. 614) Direct assault cannot be committed during rebellion.
The victim in indirect assault should be a private person who comes in aid of an agent of a person in authority. The assault is upon a person who comes in aid of the agent of a person in authority. The victim cannot be the person in authority or his agent. Take note that under Article 152, as amended, when any person comes in aid of a person in authority, said person at that moment is no longer a civilian he is constituted as an agent of the person in authority. If such person were the one attacked, the crime would be direct assault
May direct assault be committed upon a private individual? Yes. When a private person comes to the aid of a person in authority, and he is likewise assaulted. Under Republic Act No. 1978, a private person who comes to the aid of a person in authority is by fiction of law deemed or is considered an agent of a person in authority.
c.
That such disobedience is not of a serious nature. US vs. Ramayrat, 22 Phil. 183 The Supreme Court held that: the violation does not refer to resistance or disobedience to the legal provisions of the law, nor to judicial decisions defining or declaring the rights and obligations of the parties for the same give reliefs only in the form of civil actions. Rather, the disobedience or resistance is to the orders directly issued by the authorities in the exercise of their official duties. Direct Assault (148) PIA or his agent must be engaged in the performance of official duties or that he is assaulted Direct assault is committed in 4 ways by attacking, employing force, and seriously resisting a PIA or his agent. Use of force against an agent of PIA must be serious and deliberate.
In both resistance against an agent of a person in authority and direct assault by resisting an agent of a person in authority, there is force employed, but the use of force in resistance is not so serious, as there is no manifest intention to defy the law and the officers enforcing it. The attack or employment of force which gives rise to the crime of direct assault must be serious and deliberate; otherwise, even a case of simple resistance to an arrest, which always requires the use of force of some kind, would constitute direct assault and the lesser offense of resistance or disobedience in Article 151 would entirely disappear. But when the one resisted is a person in authority, the use of any kind or degree of force will give rise to direct assault. If no force is employed by the offender in resisting or disobeying a person in authority, the crime committed is resistance or serious disobedience under the first paragraph of Article 151.
Article 151 RESISTANCE/DISOBEDIENCE TO A PERSON IN AUTHORITY OR THE AGENT OF SUCH PERSON (par. 1)
ELEMENTS: a. That a person in authority or his agent is engaged in the performance of official duty or gives a lawful order to the offender. b. That the offender resists or seriously disobeys such person in authority or his agent. c. That the act of the offender is not included in the provisions of arts. 148, 149 and 150.
36 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA Article 152 PERSONS AUTHORITY/AGENTS PERSONS IN AUTHORITY:
property, or the maintenance of a desirable and balanced environment, and any barangay member who comes to the aid of persons in authority shall be deemed AGENT of persons in authority.
IN OF
Persons in Authority any person directly vested with jurisdiction, whether as an individual or as a member of some court or governmental corporation, board or commission. Examples of Persons in Authority : a. Barangay captain b. Barangay chairman c. Municipal mayor d. Provincial fiscal e. Justice of the peace f. Municipal councilor g. Teachers h. Professors i. Persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized private schools, colleges and universities j. Lawyers in the actual performance of their professional duties or on the occasion of such performance Agent of Person in Authority any person who, by direct provision of law or by election or by appointment by competent authority, is charged with the maintenance of public order and the protection and security of life and property. Examples of agents of PIA : a. Barrio councilman b. Barrio policeman c. Barangay leader d. Any person who comes to the aid of persons in authority Section 388 of the Local Govt Code provides that for purposes of the RPC, the punong barangay, sangguniang barangay members and members of the lupong tagapamayapa in each barangay shall be deemed as persons in authority in their jurisdictions, while other barangay officials and members who may be designated by law or ordinance and charged with the maintenance of public order, protection and the security of life,
When the offended party is a person in authority and while being assaulted, a private individual comes to his rescue, such private individual, by operation of law, mutates mutandis becomes an agent of a person in authority. Any assault committed against such person is direct assault, and not indirect assault. But if the person assaulted is an agent of a person in authority, and a private individual comes to his rescue and is himself assaulted while giving the assistance, as earlier discussed, the crime committed is indirect assault.
CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC DISORDERS Article 153 TUMULTS AND DISTURBANCES OF ORDER TYPES:
a. Causing any serious disturbance in a public place, office or establishment
OTHER PUBLIC
b. Interrupting
or disturbing public performances, functions, gatherings or peaceful meetings, if the act is not included in Art 131 and 132 (Public Officers interrupting peaceful meetings or religious worship). c. Making any outcry tending to incite rebellion or sedition in any meeting, association or public place d. Displaying placards or emblems which provoke a disturbance of public order in such place e. Burying with pomp the body of a person who has been legally executed.
This article should be distinguished from inciting to rebellion or sedition as discussed under Article 138 and 142. In the former, the meeting is legal and peaceful. It becomes unlawful only because of the outcry made, which tends to incite rebellion or sedition in the meeting. In the latter case, the meeting is unlawful from the beginning and the utterances made are deliberately articulated to incite others to rise publicly and rebel against the government. What makes it inciting to rebellion or sedition is the act of inciting the audience to commit rebellion or sedition.
Tumultuous if caused by more than 3 persons who are armed or provided with means of violence (circumstance qualifying the disturbance/interruption) tumultuous in character
It is also disturbance of the public order if a convict legally put to death is buried with pomp. He should not be made out as a martyr; it might incite others to hatred.
The crime of disturbance of public order may be committed in a public or private place. If committed in a private place, the law is violated only where the disturbance is made while a public function or performance is going on. Without a public gathering in a private place, the crime cannot be committed.
Article 154 UNLAWFUL USE OF MEANS OF PUBLICATION AND UNLAWFUL UTTERANCES TYPES:
a. Publishing or causing to be published, by means of printing, lithography or any other means of publication as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State. b. Encouraging disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or by praising, justifying or extolling any act punished by law, by the same means or by words, utterances or speeches
The essence is creating public disorder. This crime is brought about by creating serious disturbances in public places, public buildings, and even in private places where public functions or performances are being held. For a crime to be under this article, it must not fall under Articles 131 (prohibition, interruption, and dissolution of peaceful meetings) and 132 (interruption of religious worship).
Charivari mock serenade or discordant noises made with kettles, tin horns etc, designed to deride, insult or annoy
When a person discharges a firearm in public, the act may constitute any of the possible crimes under the Revised Penal Code: (1) Alarms and scandals if the firearm when discharged was not directed to any particular person; Illegal discharge of firearm under Article 254 if the firearm is directed or pointed to a particular person when discharged but intent to kill is absent; Attempted homicide, murder, or parricide if the firearm when discharged is directed against a person and intent to kill is present.
(2)
The article also punishes any person who knowingly publishes official acts or documents which are not officially promulgated.
(3)
In this connection, understand that it is not necessary that the offended party be wounded or hit. Mere discharge of firearm towards another with intent to kill already amounts to attempted homicide or attempted murder or attempted parricide. It can not be frustrated because the offended party is not mortally wounded. In Araneta v. Court of Appeals, it was held that if a person is shot at and is wounded, the crime is automatically attempted homicide. Intent to kill is inherent in the use of the deadly weapon. (4) Grave Threats If the weapon is not discharged but merely pointed to another (5) Other Light Threats If drawn in a quarrel but not in self defense
CRIME Nature of Crime Tumults and other Crime against Public Order Disturbances (153) Alarms and Scandals (155) Crime against Public Order
Even if the prisoner is in the hospital or asylum or any place for detention of prisoner, as long as he is classified as a prisoner, that is, a formal complaint or information has been filed in court, and he has been officially categorized as a prisoner, this article applies, as such place is considered extension of the penal institution. A policeman assigned to the city jail as guard who while off-duty released a prisoner is liable here
Even if the prisoner returned to the jail after several hours, the one who removed him from jail is liable. It may be negligence committed through
Circumstances qualifying the offense is committed by means of violence, intimidation or bribery. Mitigating circumstance if it takes place outside the penal establishment by taking the guards by surprise
By the very nature of the crime, it cannot be committed when the prisoner involved is merely a detention prisoner. But it applies to persons convicted by final judgment with a penalty of destierro.
A detention prisoner even if he escapes from confinement has no criminal liability. Thus, escaping from his prison cell when his case is still on appeal does not make said prisoner liable for Evasion of Service of Sentence.
In leaving or escaping from jail or prison, that the prisoner immediately returned is immaterial. It is enough that he left the penal establishment by escaping therefrom. His voluntary return may only be mitigating, being analogous to voluntary surrender. But the same will not absolve his criminal liability.
A continuing offense. Offenders not minor delinquents nor detention prisoners If escaped within the 15 day appeal period no evasion No applicable to deportation as the sentence
(2)
(3)
The crime of evasion of service of sentence may be committed even if the sentence is destierro, and this is committed if the convict sentenced to destierro will enter the prohibited places or come within the prohibited radius of 25 kilometers to such places as stated in the judgment. If the sentence violated is destierro, the penalty upon the convict is to be served by way of destierro also, not imprisonment. This is so because the penalty for the evasion can not be more severe than the penalty evaded.
SERVICE
OF
Circumstances qualifying the offense (done thru): a. unlawful entry (by scaling) b. breaking doors, windows, gates, walls, roofs or floors
d. connivance with other convicts or employees of the penal institution A, a foreigner, was found guilty of violation of the law, and was ordered by the court to be deported. Later on, he returned to the Philippines in violation of the sentence. Held: He is not guilty of Evasion of Service of Sentence as the law is not applicable to offenses executed by deportation. (U.S. vs. Loo Hoe, 36 Phil. 867).
Article 158 EVASION OF SERVICE OF SENTENCE ON THE OCCASION OF DISORDERS, CONFLAGRATIONS, EARTHQUAKES OR OTHER CALAMITIES
ELEMENTS : a. That the offender is a convict by final judgement who is confined in a penal institution. b. That there is disorder, resulting from- 1. conflagration, 2. earthquake , or 3. explosion, or 4. similar catastrophe , or 5. mutiny , not participated . c. That the offender evades the service of his sentence by leaving the penal institution where he is confined, on the occasion of such disorder or during the mutiny.
Those who did not leave the penal establishment are not entitled to the 1/5 credit. Only those who left and returned within the 48-hour period.
For such event to be considered as a calamity, the President must declared it to be so. He must issue a proclamation to the effect that the calamity is over. Even if the events herein mentioned may be considered as calamity, there is a need for the Chief Executive to make such announcement. Absent such declaration. Even if the prisoner will return to the penal institution where he was confined, the same is of no moment as in the meantime he has committed a violation of the law, not under the present article but for pure evasion of service of sentence under Article 157. Mutiny organized unlawful resistance to a superior officer, a sedition, a revolt
If the condition of the pardon is violated, the remedy against the accused may be in the form of prosecution under Article 159. it may also be an administrative action by referring the violation to the court of origin and praying for the issuance of a warrant of arrest justified under Section 64 of the Revised Administrative Code.
Violation attributed to the accused is no longer referred to the court for judicial inquiry or resolution. The law has provided sufficient guidelines for the jail warden to follow. This disquisition will not apply if the offender who escapes taking advantage of the calamities enumerated herein is apprehended by the authorities after 48 hours from the declaration that the calamity is over. It is only extended to one who returns but made inside the 48 hours delimited by the proclamation. At this stage, the violation is not substantive but administrative in nature.
The administrative liability of the convict under the conditional pardon is different and has nothing to do with his criminal liability for the evasion of service of sentence in the event that the condition of the pardon has been violated. Exception: where the violation of the condition of the pardon will constitute evasion of service of sentence, even though committed beyond the remaining period of the sentence. This is when the conditional pardon expressly so provides or the language of the conditional pardon clearly shows the intention to make the condition perpetual even beyond the unserved portion of the sentence. In such case, the convict may be required to serve the unserved portion of the sentence even though the violation has taken place when the sentence has already lapsed.
OF
CONDITIONAL
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender was a convict. b. That he was granted a conditional pardon by the chief executive. c. That he violated any of the conditions of such pardon.
Offender must have been found guilty of the subsequent offense before he can be prosecuted under this Article. But if under Revised Admin Code, no conviction necessary. President has power to arrest, reincarnate offender without trial
Condition extends to special laws violation of illegal voting The condition imposed upon the prisoner not to be guilty of another crime is not limited to those punishable under the Revised Penal Code. It includes those punished under Special Law. (People vs. Corral, 74 Phil. 357).
In violation of conditional pardon, as a rule, the violation will amount to this crime only if the condition is violated during the remaining period of the sentence.
Article 159 is a distinct felony. It is a substantive crime. For one to suffer the consequence of its violation, the prisoner must be formally charged in court. He will be entitled to a full blown hearing, in full enjoyment of his right to due process. Only after a final judgment has been rendered against him may he suffer the penalty prescribed under Article 159 (Torres vs. Gonzales, et al., 152 SCRA 292)
VIOLATION OF PARDON ORDINA Infringement of conditions/terms of To evade the pena President disturbs the publ Two penalties provided: a. prision correccional in its minimum period if the penalty remitted does not exceed 6 years
43 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA b. the unexpired portion of his
original sentence if the penalty remitted is higher than 6 years occasion for the court to consider imposing the minimum, medium or maximum period of the penalty. The mandate is absolute and is justified by the finding that the accused is suffering from some degree of moral perversity if not total incorrigibility. (People vs. Alicia, et al., 95 SCRA 227) Quasi-recidivism is an aggravating circumstance which cannot be offset by any mitigating circumstance. To be appreciated as a special aggravating circumstance, it must be alleged in the information. (People vs. Bautista, 65 SCRA 460) Quasi-Recidivism may be offset by a special privileged mitigating circumstance (ex. Minority)
COMMISSION OF ANOTHER CRIME Article 160 COMMISSION OF ANOTHER CRIME DURING SERVICE OF PENALTY IMPOSED FOR ANOTHER PREVIOUS OFFENSEPENALTY: (quasi-recidivism)
ELEMENTS a. That the offender was already convicted by final judgement of one offense. b. That he committed a new felony before beginning to serve such sentence or while serving the same.
Quasi-recidivism : a person after having been convicted by final judgement shall commit a new felony before beginning to serve such sentence, or while serving the same. Second crimes must belong to the RPC, not special laws. First crime may be either from the RPC or special laws Reiteracion: offender shall have served out his sentence for the prior offense A quasi-recidivist may be pardoned at age 70. Except: Unworthy or Habitual Delinquent If new felony is evasion of sentence offender is not a quasi-recidivist Penalty: maximum period of the penalty for the new felony should be imposed
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Quasi-recidivism is a special aggravating circumstance which directs the court to impose the maximum period of the penalty prescribed by law for the new felony. The court will do away or will ignore mitigating and aggravating circumstances in considering the penalty to be imposed. There will be no
7.
8.
28.
12.
13.
The crimes in this title are in the nature of fraud or falsity to the public. The essence of the crime under this title is that which defraud the public in general. There is deceit perpetrated upon the public. This is the act that is being punished under this title.
14. 15.
16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26.
False testimony favorable to the defendant (Art. 181); False testimony in civil cases (Art. 182); False testimony in other cases and perjury (Art. 183); Offering false testimony evidence (Art. 184); in
Machinations in public auction (Art. 185); Monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade (Art. 186); Importation and disposition of falsely marked articles or merchandise made of gold, silver, or other precious metals or their alloys (Art. 187);
2.
The first acts of falsification or falsity are (1) (2) Counterfeiting refers to money or currency; Forgery refers to instruments of credit and obligations and securities issued by the Philippine government or any banking institution authorized by the Philippine government to issue the same; Falsification can only be committed in respect of documents.
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
(3)
Kinds of coins the counterfeiting of which is punished 1. Silver coins of the Philippines or coins of the Central Bank of the Philippines; Coins of the minor coinage of the Philippines or of the Central Bank of the Philippines; Coin of the currency of a foreign country.
In so far as coins in circulation are concerned, there are two crimes that may be committed: (1) Counterfeiting coins -- This is the crime of remaking or manufacturing without any authority to do so.
2.
3.
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
In the crime of counterfeiting, the law is not concerned with the fraud upon the public such that even though the coin is no longer legal tender, the act of imitating or manufacturing the coin of the government is penalized. In punishing the crime of counterfeiting, the law wants to prevent people from trying their ingenuity in their imitation of the manufacture of money. (2) Mutilation of coins -- This refers to the deliberate act of diminishing the proper metal contents of the coin either by scraping, scratching or filling the edges of the coin and the offender gathers the metal dust that has been scraped from the coin.
Requisites of mutilation under the Revised Penal Code (1) (2) Coin mutilated is of legal tender; Offender gains from the precious metal dust abstracted from the coin; and It has to be a coin.
(3)
Acts punished
Mutilation of coins is a crime only if the coin mutilated is legal tender. If it is not legal tender anymore, no one will accept it, so nobody will be defrauded. But if the coin is of legal tender, and the offender minimizes or decreases the precious metal dust content of the coin, the crime of mutilation is committed. The offender must deliberately reduce the precious metal in the coin. Deliberate intent arises only when the offender collects the precious metal dust from the mutilated coin. If the offender does not collect such dust, intent to mutilate is absent, but Presidential Decree No. 247 will apply.
Article 164
MULTILATION OF COINS IMPORTATION AND UTTERANCE:
This has been repealed by PD 247. (Defacement, Mutilation, Tearing, Burning or Destroying Central Bank Notes and Coins)
Under this PD, the acts punishable are: a. willful defacement b. mutilation c. tearing d. burning e. 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 included. Must be legal tender. Must be intention to mutilate. not
Mutilation under the Revised Penal Code is true only to coins. It cannot be a crime under the Revised Penal Code to mutilate paper bills because the idea of mutilation under the code is collecting the precious metal dust.
2 Types a. Possession of coin, counterfeited or mutilated by another person, with intent to utter the same, knowing that it is false or mutilated. ELEMENTS: 1. possession 2. with intent to utter, and 3. knowledge b. Actually uttering such false or mutilated coin, knowing the same to be false or mutilated. ELEMENTS: 1. actually and 2. knowledge. uttering,
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 its 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
Possession does not require legal tender in foreign coins Includes constructive possession
On counterfeiting coins, it is immaterial whether the coin is legal tender or not because the intention of the law is to put an end to the practice of imitating money and to discourage anyone who might entertain the idea of imitating money (People vs. Kong Leon).
If the falsification is done on a document that is classified as a government security, then the crime is punished under Article 166. On the other hand, if it is not a government security, then the offender may either have violated Article 171 or 172.
Article 167 COUNTERFEITING, IMPORTING, AND UTTERING INSTRUMENTS NOT PAYABLE TO BEARER
ELEMENTS : a. That there be an instrument payable to order or other
Article 166
Article 168 ILLEGAL POSSESSION AND USE OF FALSE TREASURY OR BANK NOTES AND OTHER INSTRUMENT OF CREDIT
ELEMENTS: a. 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. b. That the offender knows that any of those instruments is forged or falsified. c. That he performs any acts 1. using any forged or instrument, or 2. possessing intent to use any forged or instrument. of these of such falsified with of such falsified
Forgery under the Revised Penal Code applies to papers, which are in the form of obligations and securities issued by the Philippine government as its own obligations, which is given the same status as legal tender. Generally, the word counterfeiting is not used when it comes to notes; what is used is forgery. Counterfeiting refers to money, whether coins or bills. Notice that mere change on a document does not amount to this crime. The essence of forgery is giving a document the appearance of a true and genuine document. Not any alteration of a letter, number, figure or design would amount to forgery. At most, it would only be frustrated forgery. When what is being counterfeited is obligation or securities, which under the Revised Penal Code is given a status of money or legal tender, the crime committed is forgery. Questions & Answers 1. Instead of the peso sign (P), somebody replaced it with a dollar sign ($). Was the crime of forgery committed? No. Forgery was not committed. The forged instrument and currency note must be given the appearance of a true and genuine document. The crime committed is a violation of Presidential Decree No. 247. Where the currency note, obligation or security has been changed to make it appear as one which it purports to be as genuine, the crime is forgery. In checks or commercial documents, this crime is committed when the figures or words are changed which materially alters the document. 2. An old man, in his desire to earn something, scraped a digit in a losing sweepstakes ticket, cut out a digit from another ticket and pasted it there to match the series of digits corresponding to the winning sweepstakes ticket. He presented this ticket to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. But the alteration is so crude that even a child can notice that the supposed digit is merely superimposed on the digit that was scraped. Was the old man guilty of forgery? NO Because of the impossibility of deceiving whoever would be the person to
Act sought to be punished: Knowingly possessing with intent to use any of such forged treasury or bank notes
Falsification of a document by a public officer, employee or notary public; Falsification of a public or official, or commercial documents by a private individual; Falsification of a private document by any person; Falsification of wireless, telegraph and telephone messages.
(3)
(4) (5)
Accused must not be a public official entrusted with the custody or possession of such document otherwise Art 171 applies .
The falsification must be committed on a genuine, true and authentic legislative document. If committed on a simulated, spurious or fabricated legislative
Article 171 FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS BY PUBLIC OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, OR NOTARY OR ECCLESTASTICAL MINISTER
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer, employee, or notary public. b. That he takes advantage of his official position. c. That he falsifies a document by committing any of the following acts: 1. Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric. Requisites: i. That there be an intent to imitate, or an attempt to imitate ii. 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) 2. Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so participate. 3. Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding statements other than those in fact made by them.
4. Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts; Requisites: i. That the offender makes in a document statements in a narration of facts ii. That he has a legal obligation to disclose the truth of the facts narrated by him; (required by law to be done) and iii. That the facts narrated by the offender are absolutely false; and iv. 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 For one to be held criminally liable for falsification under paragraph 4, the untruthful statement must be such as to effect the integrity of the document or to change the effects which it would otherwise produce. Legal obligation means that there is a law requiring the disclosure of the truth of the facts narrated. Ex. Residence certificates
iii.
Alteration or changes to make the document speak the truth do not constitute falsification. (US vs. Mateo, 25 Phil. 324)
iv.
7. 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 The acts of falsification mentioned in this paragraph are committed by a public officer or by a notary public who takes advantage of his official position as custodian of the document. It can also refer to a public officer or notary
Either he has duty to intervene in the preparation of the document or it may be a situation wherein the public officer has official custody of the document.
So even if the offender is a public officer, if her causes the falsification of a document which is not in his official custody or if the falsification committed by him is not related whatsoever to the performance of his duties, he will still be liable for falsification but definitely not under this Article but under Article 172. (falsification of documents by a private person)
52 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA Document: Any written instrument
which establishes a right or by which an obligation is extinguished. A deed or agreement executed by a person setting forth any disposition or condition wherein rights and obligations may arise.
Writing may be on anything as long as it is a product of the handwriting, it is considered a document. public document document. which is an official
Not necessary that what is falsified is a genuine or real document, enough that it gives an appearance of a genuine article
As long as any of the acts of falsification is committed, whether the document is genuine or not, the crime of falsification may be committed. Even totally false documents may be falsified.
any
Under Republic Act 7975, when a public officer who holds a position classified as Grade 27 or higher, commits a crime in relation to the performance of his official functions, the case against him will fall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan. If a private person is included in the accusation because of the existence of conspiracy in the commission of the crime, the Sandiganbayan shall maintain jurisdiction over the person of the coaccused, notwithstanding the fact that said co-accused is a private individual. If the public officer is found guilty, the same liability and penalty shall be imposed on the private individual. (U.S. vs. Ponce, 20 Phil. 379)
Feigning simulating a signature, handwriting, or rubric out of one of which does not in fact exist
It does not require that the writing be genuine. Even if the writing was through and through false, if it appears to be genuine, the crime of falsification is nevertheless committed. There are four kinds of documents: (1) Public document in the execution of which, a person in authority or notary public has taken part; Official document in the execution of which a public official takes part; Commercial document or any document recognized by the Code of Commerce or any commercial law; and Private document in the execution of which only private individuals take part.
Article 172 FALSIFICATION OF PUBLIC, OFFICIAL, OR COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL (par 1)
ELEMENTS a. That the offender is a private individual or a public officer or employee who did not take advantage of his official position. b. That he committed any of the acts of falsification enumerated in ART. 171. 1. Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric. 2. Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so participated. 3. Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding statements other than those in fact made by them.
(2) (3)
(4)
Public document is broader than the term official document. Before a document may be considered official, it must first be a public document. But not all public documents are official documents. To become an official document, there must be a law which requires a public officer to issue or to render such document. Example: A cashier is required to issue an official receipt for the amount he receives. The official receipt is a
If the falsification of public, official or commercial documents, whether they be public official or by private individuals, it is not necessary that there be present the idea of gain or the intent to injure a third person. What is punished under the law is the violation of public faith and the perversion of the truth as solemnly proclaimed by the nature of the document. (Sarep vs. Sandiganbayan)
Defense: lack of malice or criminal intent The following writings are public: a. the written acts or records of acts 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. b. Public records Philippines. kept in the
b.
That the falsification was committed in any private document (must affect the truth or integrity of the document)
c.
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
That the falsification caused damage (essential element; hence, no crime of estafa thru 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
There is a complex crime of estafa through falsification of public, official or commercial document. In the crime of estafa, damage or intent to cause damage is not an element. It is sufficient that the offender committed or performed the acts of falsification as defined and punished under Article 171.
Falsification of a private document is consummated when such document is actually falsified with the intent to prejudice a third person whether such falsified document is or is not thereafter
There is no falsification through reckless imprudence if the document is a private document. Falsification by omission
Mere falsification of a private document is not enough to commit crime under paragraph 2 of Article 172. Two acts must be done by the offender. 1) He must have performed in the private document the falsification contemplated under Article 171. 2) He must have performed an independent act which operates to cause damage or prejudice to a third person. The third person mentioned herein may include the government. Damage is not limited to money or pecuniary prejudice. Damage to ones honor, reputation or good name is included. 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
A private document which is falsified to obtain money from offended party is a falsification of private document only. 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
If a private document is falsified to cause damage to the offended party, the crime committed is falsification of a private document. Remember that in estafa, damage or intent to cause damage is an indispensable element of the crime. The same element is necessary to commit the crime of falsification of private document. Since they have a common element, such
Examples:
Rules to observe in the use of a falsified document. 1. It is a crime when knowingly introduced in a judicial proceeding even if there is not intent to cause damage to another. Knowingly introducing a falsified document in a judicial proceeding, the use alone is not a crime. The mere introduction of the forged document is the crime itself. But when the falsified document is knowingly introduced in an administrative proceeding, the use alone is not a crime. There must be intent to cause damage or damage is actually inflicted.
2. Falsification of document is a separate and distinct offense from that of the use of falsified documents. So if the falsification of document was done or performed because it was necessary to the use of the same and in the commission of the crime, then we may have a complex crime defined and punished under Article 48 of the Revised Penal Code. Good faith is a defense falsification of public document. in
3. That
he used such documents (not in judicial proceedings). 4. 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: a. the use is so closely connected in time with the falsification b. the user had the capacity of falsifying the document Falsification of Private Documents
Article 173 FALSIFICATION OF WIRELESS, CABLE, TELEGRAPH, AND TELEPHONE MESSAGES, AND USE OF SAID FALSIFIED MESSAGES
Acts punishable: 1. Uttering fictitious, wireless, telegraph or telephone message Requisites: a. 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.
Article 174 FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES, CERTIFCATES OF MERIT OR SERVICE AND THE LIKE:
Persons liable: a. 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) b. Public officer who issued a false certificate of merit of service, good conduct or similar circumstances c. Private individual who falsified a certificate under (1) and (2)
b.
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 3. Using such falsified message Requisites: a. 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. b. That the accused used such falsified dispatch. c. 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
A public officer may also be an offender The act performed without being lawfully entitled to do so must pertain: a. to the govt b. to any person in authority c. to any public office
Foreign government adverted to in this article refers to public officers duly authorized to perform governmental duties in the Philippines. The law cannot refer to other foreign governments as its application may bring us to legal problems which may infringe on constitutional boundaries. If the offender commits the acts of usurpation as contemplated herein, and he does it because he is a rebel and pursuant to the crime of rebellion or insurrection or sedition, he will not be liable under this article because what is attributed against him as a crime of usurpation is in fact one of the elements of committing rebellion. The elements of false pretense is necessary to commit the crime of usurpation of official function.
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.
Elements 1. 2. Offender knowingly and falsely represents himself; As an officer, agent or representative of any department or agency of the Philippine government or of any foreign government.
In usurpation of official functions: It is essential that the offender should have performed an act pertaining to a person in authority
2. all circumstances.
b. that the purpose is only to conceal his identity. What the offender does to violate or commit this act is for him to conceal his true name and other personal circumstances. His only motive in doing so is to conceal his identity. In concealment of true name, the deception is done momentarily, just enough to conceal the name of the offender. In the use of fictitious name, the offender presents himself before the public with another name. A person under investigation by the police who gives a false name and false personal circumstances, upon being interrogated, is guilty of this crime.
The wearing of insignia, badge or emblem of rank of the members of the armed forced of the Philippines or constabulary (now PNP) is punished by Republic Act No. 493. When the uniform or insignia is used to emphasize the pageantry of a play or drama or in moving picture films, the crime is not committed.
Use of Fictitious Name (178) Element of publicity must be present Three forms of false testimony Purpose is to conceal a crime, to evade the execution of a judgement, or to cause damage 1. False testimony in criminal cases
Commonwealth Act No. 142 (Regulating the Use of Aliases) No person shall use any name different from the one with which he was registered at birth in the office of the local civil registry, or with which he was registered in the bureau of immigration upon entry; or such substitute 2. 3. under Article 180 and 181; False testimony in civil case under Article 182; False testimony in other cases under Article 183.
Nature of the crime of false testimony. 1. It cannot be committed through reckless imprudence because false testimony requires criminal intent or intent to violate the law is an essential element of the crime.
2. If the false testimony is due to honest mistake or error or there was good faith in making the false testimony, no crime is committed.
That the offender testifies falsely under oath against the defendant therein. That the offender who gives false testimony knows that it is false.
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
c.
That the defendant against whom the false testimony is given is either acquitted or convicted in a final judgment (prescriptive period starts at this point) Requires criminal intent, cant 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
d.
IN
CIVIL
The probative value of the testimonial evidence is subject to the rules of evidence. It may not be considered at a. all by the judge. But whether the testimony is credible or not or whether it is appreciated or not in the context b. that the false witness wanted it to be,
ELEMENTS: That the testimony must be given in a civil case. That the testimony must relate to the issues presented in said case.
e.
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
Distinctions between perjury and false testimony: PERJURY FALSE TESTIMONY 1. Non-judicial 1. Given in a proceedings. judicial proceeding. 2. Statement or 2. Testimony need testimony is not be required by required by law. law. 3. Amount 3. Amount involved involved is not in civil cases is material. material. 4. immaterial 4. It is always whether material in criminal statement or cases. testimony is favorable or not to the accused.
Two contradictory sworn statements are not sufficient to convict the affiant for the crime of perjury. There must be evidence to show which is false. The same must be established or proved from sources other than the two contradictory statements. (People vs. Capistrano, 40 Phil. 902) A matter is material when it is directed to prove a fact in issue
The test of materiality is whether a false statement can influence the court (People vs. Bnazil).
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 if the accused signed and swore the statement before a person not authorized to administer oath (People vs. Bella David).
There is no perjury through negligence or imprudence since the assertion of falsehood must be willful and deliberate
Because of the nature of perjury, which is the willful and corrupt assertion of a falsehood, there is no perjury committed through reckless imprudence or simple negligence under Article 365. Since admittedly perjury can only be committed by means of dolo, then good faith or lack of malice is a good defense when one is indicted for the crime of perjury.
If there is no requirement of law to place the statement or testimony under oath, there is no Perjury considering the phrases oath in cases in which the law so requires in Article 183. The affidavit or sworn statement must be required by law like affidavit of adverse claim to protect ones interest on real property; or an affidavit of good moral character to take the bar examination. So if the affidavit was made but the same is not required by law, even if the allegations are false, the crime of perjury is not committed. (Diaz vs. People, 191 SCRA 86) 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
The false witness need not be convicted of false testimony. The mere offer is sufficient.
False testimony vs. Perjury When one testifies falsely before the court, the crime committed is false testimony. If one testifies falsely in a non-judicial proceeding, the crime committed is perjury. In false testimony, it is not required that the offender asserts a falsehood on a material matter. It is enough that he testifies falsely with deliberate intent. In perjury, the witness must testify or assert a fact on a material matter with a full knowledge that the information given is essentially contrary to the truth. Material matter means the main fact
The offender in this article knows that the witness to be presented is a false witness or that the witness will lie while testifying. The proceedings is either judicial or official. There is a formal offer of testimonial evidence in the proceedings. The witness is able to testify and the offender, knowing the testimony is given by the witness to be false, nevertheless offers the same in evidence. In this case, the person offering the false testimony must have nothing to do in the making of the false testimony. He knows that the witness is false and yet he asks him to testify and thereafter offers the testimony in evidence. So if the offeror, aside from being such, is also the person responsible in inducing or convincing the false witness to lie, Article 184 will not apply. The applicable article will be Article 180, 181, 182, or 183 as the case may be. The offenders in this case will be charged with perjury; the inducer as principal by inducement and the induced party as the principal by direct participation. It is for this reason that subornation of perjury is no longer treated as a specific felony with a separate article of its own. Nevertheless, it is a crime defined and punished under the Revised Penal Code. The crime committed by one who induces another to testify falsely and the person who agrees and
2.
IN
PUBLIC
ELEMENTS: 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: a That there be a public auction. 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. d That the accused had the intent to cause the reduction of the price of the thing auctioned. 2.
3.
d. 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. Elements 1. Manufacturer, producer, processor or importer of any merchandise or object of commerce;
Person/s liable: a. manufacturer b. producer c. processor d. importer Crime is committed by: a. combining b. conspiring c. agreeing with another person The purpose is: a. to make transactions prejudicial to lawful commerce b. to increase the market price of any merchandise or object of commerce manufactured, produced, processed, assembled or imported into the Phil Also liable as principals: a. corporation/association b. agent/representative c. director/manager who willingly permitted or failed to prevent commission of above offense Aggravated if items are: a. food substance b. motor fuel or lubricants c. goods of prime necessity
Article 187 IMPORTATION AND DISPOSITION OF FALSELY MARKED ARTICLES OR MERCHANDISE MADE OF GOLD, SILVER, OR OTHER PRECIOUS METALS OR THEIR ALLOYS
ELEMENTS: a That the offender imports, sells or disposes of any of those articles or merchandise.
Fraudulent registration by procuring fraudulently from the patent office the registration of t/m, t/m or service mark.
ELEMENTS: 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 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. That there is actual intent to deceive the public or defraud a competitor.
Take note that after making the substitution the goods are displayed in the store or market for sale, Article 188 is already committed even if no customer comes to buy any of the goods on display. The mere offer for sale to the public consummates the crime. The pendency of the administrative aspect of the case is not a prejudicial question in the resolution of the criminal case.
Article 189 UNFAIR COMPETITION, FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION OF TRADENAME, TRADEMARK SERVICE MARK, FRAUDULENT DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN, AND FALSE DESCRIPTION
Acts punished: a Unfair competition by selling his goods, giving them the general appearance of the goods of another manufacturer or dealer
Under Republic Act No. 166, Section 29, paragraph 2, unfair competition is defined as follows: It consists in employing deception or any other means contrary to good faith by which any person shall pass off the goods manufactured by him or in which he deals, or his business, or services for those of the one having established goodwill, or committing any acts calculated to produce such result. The true test of unfair competition is whether certain goods have been clothed with an appearance which is likely to deceive the ordinary purchaser exercising ordinary care. (U.S. vs. Manuel, 7 Phil. 221)
b Fraudulent
For unfair competition to take place, it must be the manufacturer of the goods who will cloth or label his goods with the trade name or trademark of another manufacturer, who has established a good name or good will in the mind of the public because of the quality of the merchandise manufactured by him. The imitator is also a manufacturer of the
TITLE FIVE CRIMES RELATED TO OPIUM AND OTHER PROHIBITED DRUGS (190-194) COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002 (RA No. 9165)
I. Acts Punishable: a. importation of prohibited drugs b. sale, administration, delivery, distribution and transportation of prohibited drugs c. maintenance of a den, dive or resort for prohibited drug users d. being employees or visitors of drug den e. manufacture of prohibited drugs f. possession or use
PENALTY : Life to death & fine of 500,000 to 10 million regardless of the Quantity and purity involved MAXIMUM PENALTY : 1) Use of diplomatic Passport 2) Financier Sale, administration, delivery, distribution and transaction of prohibited/regulated drugs.
- NOT BAILABLE PENALTY : Life to death & fine of 500,000 to 10 million regardless of the Quantity and purity involved ( includes BROKER ) Qualifying Circumstances 1) if the victim of the offense is a minor or should a prohibited/regulated drug involve in any offense under this section be the proximate cause of the death of a
for the first offense, subject to the provisions of Article VIII of this Act. If apprehended using any dangerous drug act for the second time, he/she shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve(12) years and a fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00); Provided, That this section shall not be applicable where the person tested is also found to have in his/her possession such quantity of any dangerous drug provided for under Section 11 of this Act, in which case the provisions stated therein shall apply.
Cultivation of plants which are sources of prohibited drugs.
Penalty - Life to death and a fine of P500,000.00 to P10 Million a Note: The land/portions thereof
and/or greenhouses in which any of the said plants is cultivated or cultured shall be confiscated and escheated to the State, unless the owner thereof can prove that he did not know of such cultivation or culture despite the exercise of due diligence on his part.
10 gms. Opium, morphine, heroine, cocaine, marijuana resin and Ecstasy. 50 gms. Shabu 500 gms. Marijuana b. Life Imprisonment and a fine of P400,000.00-P500,000.00 10-50 gms. Shabu c. 20 years to Life and a fine of 400,000.00-500,000.00 5-10 gms. Shabu d. 12 20 years and a fine of 300,000.00400,000.00 Less than 5 gms. Of any dangerous drugs
Possession of paraphernalia
b Qualifying Circumstance
1. If the land involved is part of public domain, the maximum of penalty herein provided shall imposed. 2. Maximum penalty imposed financier the the be on
6 mos. 4 yrs. & fine of 10,000 50,000 Use of Dangerous Drugs A person apprehended or arrested, who is found to be positive for use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test, shall be imposed a penalty of a minimum of six (6) months rehabilitation in a government center
Failure to keep records of prescription, sales, purchases, acquisitions and/or deliveries of prohibited/regulated drugs Persons liable:
Custody and disposition of confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs PDEA in charge and custody for proper disposition Procedure in Disposal 1. Apprehending team immediately after seizure shall make physical inventory and photograph the seized drugs in the presence of the accused or his counsel, a representative of the media and DOJ and any elected public official who shall sign the copies of the inventory. 2. Within 24 hours upon confiscation/seizure of dangerous drugs, such drug shall be submitted to the PDEA forensic laboratory for a qualitative and quantitative examination. 3. Certification of the forensic examination results shall be issued within 24 hours. 4. After the filing of the criminal case, the proper court shall conduct and ocular inspection within 72 hours of the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs. 5. After ocular inspection by the court, PDEA shall destroy or burn the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs within 24 hours in the presence of the accused or his counsel, representative of the media and the DOJ, civil society groups and any elected public officer. 6. PDEA shall issue a certification of such destruction and samples of the dangerous drugs shall be submitted to the court. Plea-Bargaining Any person charged under any commission of this act regardless of the imposable penalty shall not be allowed to avail of the provision on plea-bargaining. Probation Law Any person convicted for drug trafficking regardless of the penalty imposed cannot
Confiscation and forfeiture of the proceeds or instruments of the unlawful act, including the properties of the proceeds derived from the illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs. Forfeited infavor of the government After the conviction in the Regional Trial Court in the appropriate criminal case filed, the Court shall immediately schedule a hearing for the confiscation and forfeiture of all the proceeds of the offense and all the assets and properties of the accused either owned or held by him or in the name of some other persons if the same shall be found to be manifestly out of proportion of his/her income; Provided, however, That if the forfeited property is a vehicle, the same shall be auctioned off not later than five (5) days upon order of confiscation or forfeiture. During the pendency of the case in the Regional Trial Court, no property, or income derived therefrom, which may be confiscated and forfeited, shall be disposed, alienated or transferred and the same shall be in custodia legis and no bond shall be admitted for the release of the same.
68 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA avail of the privilege granted by the probation law. Qualifying Aggravating Circumstance A positive finding for the use of dangerous drugs shall be a qualifying aggravating circumstance in the commission of a crime by an offender and the application of the penalty provided for in the RPC.
Possession of opium pipe, equipment, apparatus or any paraphernalia fit or intended for smoking, consuming, administering, injecting, ingesting, or otherwise using opium or any other prohibited drug, shall be prima facie evidence that the possessor has smoked, consumed, administered to himself, injected or used a prohibited drug. Attempt and conspiracy to commit the following offenses: a Importation of dangerous drugs b Sale, administration, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs Maintenance of a den, dive or resort for prohibited drugs Manufacture of dangerous drugs Cultivation or culture of plants which are sources of prohibited drugs Planting of Evidence Any person who is found guilty of planting any dangerous drug regardless of the quantity and purity, shall suffer the penalty of death. Drug Testing 1. Applicants for drivers license mandatory 2. Applicants for firearms license and for permit to carry - mandatory 3. Students of secondary and tertiary schools random (school shall shoulder expenses) 4. Officers and employees of private and public offices random (employer shall shoulder expenses) Any officer or employee found positive for use of dangerous drug shall be dealt with administratively which shall be a ground for suspension or termination subject to Art. 282 of the Labor Code and equipment, machines or other instruments in the manufacture of any dangerous drugs, if such vehicle, vessel, aircraft, equipment, or other instrument, is owned or under the control and supervision of the partnership, corporation, association or judicial entity to which they are affiliated. Criminal liability of a public officer or employee for misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account for the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs Penalty - life to death and a fine of P500,000.00 to P10 Million in addition to absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office. Any elective local or national official found to have benefited from the proceeds of the trafficking of dangerous drugs or have received any financial or material contributions from persons found guilty of drug trafficking dangerous drugs, shall be removed from office and perpetually disqualified from holding any elective or appointive positions in the government.
c d e
Other persons liable: a If the violation of the Act is committed by a partnership, corporation, association or any judicial person, the partner, president, director, or manager who consents to or knowingly tolerates such violation shall be held criminally liable as coprincipal. Partner, president, director, manager, officer or stockholder, who knowingly authorizes, tolerates, or consents to the use of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft as an instrument in the importation, sale, delivery, distribution or transportation of dangerous drugs, or to the use of their
Voluntary submission a. Voluntary submission of a drug dependent to confinement, treatment and rehabilitation by the drug dependent himself or through his parent, guardian or relative within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, in a center and compliance with such conditions therefor as the Dangerous Drugs Board may prescribe shall exempt from criminal liability for possession or use of the prohibited/regulated drug. (Applicable only to those liable for use of dangerous drugs and not to possession and sale) b. Should the drug dependent escape from the center, he may submit himself for confinement within 1 week from the date of his escape, of his parent guardian or relative may, within the same period surrender him for confinement. c. Upon application of the Board, the Court shall issue an order for recommitment if the drug dependent does not resubmit himself for confinement or if he is not surrendered for recommitment. d. If, subsequent to such recommitment, he should escape again, he shall no longer be exempt from criminal liability for the use or possession of any dangerous drug. e. If a person charged with an offense is found by the fiscal or by the Court at any stage of the proceedings, to be a drug dependent, the fiscal or court as the case may be, shall suspend all further proceedings and transmit records of the case to the Board.
a. NOTE:
They shall be considered as persons in authority if they are in the school or within its immediate vicinity, or beyond such immediate vicinity if they are in attendance in any school or class function in their official capacity as school heads, supervisors or teachers.
b. Any teacher or school employee who discovers or finds that any person in the school or within its immediate vicinity is violating this Act shall have the duty to report the violation to the school head or supervisor who shall,
Compulsory submission If a person charged with an offense where the imposable penalty is imprisonment of not more than six (6) years and one (1) day, and is found by the prosecutor or by the court, at any stage of the proceedings, to be a drug dependent, the prosecutor of the court as the case may be, shall suspend all further proceedings and transmit copies of the record of the case to the Board. Jurisdiction Over Dangerous Drug Cases
Section 90. Jurisdiction The Supreme Court shall designate special courts from among the existing Regional Trial Court in each judicial region to exclusively try and hear cases involving violations of this Act. The number of court designated in each judicial region shall be based on population and the number of cases pending in their respective jurisdiction. The DOJ shall designate special prosecutors to exclusively handle cases involving violations of this Act. The preliminary investigation of cases filed under this Act shall be terminated within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of their filing. When the preliminary investigation is conducted by a public prosecutor and a probable cause is established, the corresponding information shall be filed in court within 24 hours from the termination of the investigation. If the preliminary investigation is conducted by a judge and a probable cause is found to exist, the corresponding information shall be filed by the proper prosecutor within 48 hours from the receipt of the records of the case. Section 91. Responsibility and Liability of Law Enforcement Agencies and Other Government Officials and Employees Testifying as Prosecution Witnesses in Dangerous Drugs Cases Any member of law enforcement
71 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA agencies or any other government official and employees who, after due notice, fails or refuses intentionally or negligently, to appear as a witness for the prosecution in any proceedings, involving violations of this Act, without any valid reason, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day to 20 years and a fine of not less than P500,000.00, in addition to the administrative liability he/she may be meted out by his/her immediate superior and/or appropriate body. The immediate superior of a member of the law enforcement agency or any other government employee mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than two (2) months and one (1) day but not more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than P10,000.00 but not more than P50,000 and in addition, perpetual absolute disqualification from public office if despite due notice to them and to the witness concerned, the former does not exert reasonable effort to present the latter to the court. The member of the law enforcement agency or any other government employee mentioned in the preceding paragraphs shall not be transferred or reassigned to any other territorial jurisdiction during the pendency of the case in court. However, the concerned member of the law enforcement agency or government employee may be transferred or re-assigned for compelling reasons; Provided, That his/her immediate superior shall notify the court where the case is pending of the order of transfer or re-assign, within 24 hours from its approval; Provided further, That his/her immediate superior shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than two (2) months and one (1) day but not less than six (6) years and a fine of not less than P10,000.00 but not more than P50,000.00 and in addition, perpetual absolute disqualification from public office, should he/she fail to notify the court of such order to transfer or reassign. Prosecution and punishment under this Section shall be without prejudice to any liability for violation of any existing law.
Section 92. Delay and Bungling in the Prosecution of Drug Cases. - Any government officer or employee tasked with the prosecution of drug-related cases under this Act, who, through patent laxity, inexcusable neglect, unreasonable delay or deliberately causes the unsuccessful prosecution and/or dismissal ranging from 12 years and 1 day to 20 years without prejudice to his/her prosecution under the pertinent provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
3. Delivery
or Sale of Prohibited Drugs the accused must be aware that what he is selling or delivering was prohibited drug. But the moment the fact of sale or delivery is
4. P v. Angelito Manalo
burden of proving the authority to possess shabu is a matter of defense
5. P v. Hilario Moscaling
court may take judicial notice of the word shabu
6. Criminal liabilities of a
policeman who sold the drugs confiscated from a pusher: violation of RA 9165 and malversation under RPC.
Buy Bust Operation form of entrapment (P v. Alberto) not necessary to have prior police surveillance (P v. Carlos Franca) actual not necessary to adduce the marked money as evidence (P v. Romeo Macara)
g Possession constructive or
h Separate
crimes sale/possession of MJ found in his possession after he was frisked but he cant be convicted for possession of MJ that he sold If victim is minor or drug is proximate cause of death max penalty is imposed
TITLE SIX CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC MORALS Crimes against public morals Gambling (Art. 195); Importation, sale and possession of lottery tickets or advertisements (Art. 196); Betting in sport contests (Art. 197); Illegal betting on horse races (Art. 198); Illegal cockfighting (Art. 199); Grave scandal (Art. 200); Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions (Art. 201); and
73 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA Vagrancy and prostitution (Art. 202). Article 195. What Acts Punishable in Gambling
Acts punished 1. Taking part directly or indirectly in a. any game of monte, jueteng, or any other form of lottery, policy, banking, or percentage game, dog races, or any other game or scheme the results of which depend wholly or chiefly upon chance or hazard; or wherein wagers consisting of money, articles of value, or representative of value are made; or the exploitation or use of any other mechanical invention or contrivance to determine by chance the loser or winner of money or any object or representative of value; whether the result will depend wholly or chiefly upon chance or hazard. Significantly, if the game has been identified and declared as a form of gambling by express provision of law, there will be no need or requirement to go into the methods upon how the game is played.
Are
What is lottery? It is a scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance among persons who have paid, or agreed to pay, a valuable consideration for a chance to obtain a prize. (US vs. Filart, et al., 30 Phil. 80)
Pinball machines or slot machines are considered gambling devices because the result depends upon chance or hazard. If the prizes do not come out of the funds or contributions of the participants, there is no lottery. (Uy vs. Palomar, 27 SCRA 287)
b.
2.
Knowingly permitting any form of gambling to be carried on in any place owned or controlled by the offender; Being maintainer, conductor, or banker in a game of jueteng or similar game; Knowingly and without lawful purpose possessing lottery list, paper, or other matter containing letters, figures, signs or symbol which pertain to or are in any manner used in the game of jueteng or any similar game.
3.
4.
2. Selling or distributing the same in connivance with the importer; 3. Possessing, knowingly and with intent to use them, lottery tickets or advertisements; or Selling or distributing the same without connivance with the importer of the same.
4.
What is gambling? It is a game or device or method, the result of which depends wholly or chiefly upon chance or hazard. So, if the game depends wholly upon skill or ability of the players, there is no gambling.
The manner of determining whether the game played is prohibited or not is
Note that possession of any lottery ticket or advertisement is prima facie evidence of an intent to sell, distribute or use the same in the Philippines.
profit therefrom during the periods not allowed by law. When horse races not allowed:
July 4 (Republic Act No. 137); December 30 (Republic Act No. 229); Any registration or voting days (Republic Act No. 180, Revised Election Code); and
Holy Thursday and Good Friday (Republic Act No. 946). Article 199. ILLEGAL COCKFIGHTING
This article has been modified or repealed by Presidential Decree No. 449 (The Cockfighting Law of 1974):
b. Game-fixing:
any arrangement, combination, scheme or agreement by which the result of any game, races, or sports contests shall be predicated and/or known other than on the basis of the honest playing skill or ability of the players or participants.
c. Point-shaving:
any such arrangement combination, scheme or agreement by which the skill or ability of any player or participant in a fame, races, or sports contests to make points of scores shall be limited deliberately in order to influence the result thereof in favor of one or other team, player or participant.
II.
d. Game
Machination: any other fraudulent, deceitful, unfair or dishonest means, method, manner or practice employed for the purpose of influencing the result of any game, races or sports contest.
Article 198. ILLEGAL BETTING ON HORSE RACE Acts punished Betting on horse races during periods not allowed by law; Maintaining or employing a totalizer or other device or scheme for betting on races or realizing
Presidential Decree No. 1602 (Simplifying and Providing Stiffer Penalties for Violations of Philippine Gambling Laws)
Section 1. Violations and Penalties. -- The penalty of prision mayor in its medium degree or a fine ranging from Five Hundred Pesos to Two Thousand Pesos and in case of recidivism the penalty of prision correccional in its medium degree or a fine of ranging from One Thousand Pesos to Six Thousand Pesos shall be imposed upon: (a) Any person other than those referred to in the succeeding subsection who in any manner, shall directly or indirectly take part in any game of cockfighting, jueteng, bookies (jai- alai or horse racing to include game fixing) and other lotteries, cara y cruz or pompiang and the like, black jack, lucky nine, pusoy or Russian Poker, monte, baccarat and other card games, palk que, domino, mahjong, high and low, slot machines, roulette, pinball and other mechanical inventories or devices, dog racing, boat racing, car raising and other races, basketball, volleyball, boxing, seveneleven dice games and the like and other contests to include game fixing, point shaving and other machinations banking or percentage game, or any other game or scheme, whether upon chance or skill, which do not have a franchise from the national government, wherein wagers consisting of money, articles of value of representative of value are made; (b) Any person who shall knowingly permit any form of gambling referred to in the preceding subdivision to be carried on in inhabited or uninhabited places or any building, vessel or other means of transportation owned or controlled by him. If the place where gambling is carried on has a reputation of a gambling place or that prohibited gambling is frequently carried on therein or the place is a public or government building or barangay hall, the culprit shall be punished by the penalty provided for in its maximum period and a fine of Six Thousand Pesos.
Illustrations:
Fund-raising campaigns are not gambling. They are for charitable purposes but they have to obtain a permit from Department of Social Welfare and Development. This includes concerts for causes, Christmas caroling, and the like.
OFFENSES AGAINST DECENCY AND GOOD CUSTOMS Article 200 GRAVE SCANDAL
ELEMENTS: a. Offender performs an act b. Act is highly scandalous as offending against decency or good customs c. Highly scandalous conduct does not expressly fall within any other article of the RPC
Grave scandal: consists of acts which are offensive to decency and good customs. They are committed publicly and thus, give rise to public scandal to persons who have accidentally witnessed the acts
The crime of grave scandal is a crime against public morals. Necessarily, the offender must commit the crime in a public place or within the view of the public.
In grave scandal, the scandal involved refers to moral scandal offensive to decency, although it does not disturb public peace. But such conduct or act must be open to the public view. In alarms and scandals, the scandal involved refers to disturbances of the public tranquility and not to acts offensive to decency.
not fall under any other crime in the Revised Penal Code. Illustrations: (1) A man and a woman enters a movie house which is a public place and then goes to the darkest part of the balcony and while there the man started performing acts of lasciviousness on the woman. If it is against the will of the woman, the crime would be acts of lasciviousness. But if there is mutuality, this constitutes grave scandal. Public view is not necessary so long as it is performed in a public place. (2) A man and a woman went to Luneta and slept there. They covered themselves their blanket and made the grass their conjugal bed. This is grave scandal. (3) In a certain apartment, a lady tenant had the habit of undressing in her room without shutting the blinds. She does this every night at about eight in the evening. So that at this hour of the night, you can expect people outside gathered in front of her window looking at her silhouette. She was charged of grave scandal. Her defense was that she was doing it in her own house. It is no defense that she is doing it in her private home. It is still open to the public view. (4) In a particular building in Makati which stands right next to the house of a young lady who goes sunbathing in her poolside. Every morning several men in the upper floors would stick their heads out to get a full view of said lady while in her twopiece swimsuit. The lady was then charged with grave scandal. Her defense was that it is her own private pool and it is those men looking down at her who are malicious. This is an act which even though done in a private place is nonetheless open to public view.
Decency: means properly observing the requirements of modesty, good taste etc Customs: refers to established usage, social conventions carried on by tradition and enforced by social disapproval in case of violation If the acts complained of are punishable under another provision of the RPC, Art 200 is not applicable
Any act which is notoriously offensive to decency may bring about criminal liability for the crime of grave scandal provided such act does not constitute some other crime under the Revised Penal Code. Grave scandal is a crime of last resort.
The essence of grave scandal is publicity and that the acts committed are not only contrary to morals and good customs but must likewise be of such character as to cause public scandal to those witnessing it.
Distinction should be made as to the place where the offensive act was committed, whether in the public place or in a private place: (1) In public place, the criminal liability arises irrespective of whether the immoral act is open to the public view. In short public view is not required. When act offensive to decency is done in a private place, public view or public knowledge is required.
(2)
Public view does not require numerous persons. Even if there was only one person who witnessed the offensive act for as long as the third person was not an intruder, grave scandal is committed provided the act does
However, Art 201 enumerates what are considered as obscene literature or immoral or indecent plays, scenes or acts: a. those w/c glorify criminals or condone crimes b. those w/c serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography c. those w/c offend against any race or religion d. those w/c tend to abet the traffic in and the use of prohibited drugs e. those that are contrary to law, public order, morals, good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees and edicts
d. Owners or operators of establishments selling obscene literature e. Those who exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows ion theaters, fairs, cinemas or any other place f. Those who sell, distribute, or exhibit prints, engraving, sculptures or literature which are offensive to morals
Mere nudity in paintings and pictures is not obscene Pictures w/ a slight degree of obscenity having no artistic value and intended for commercial purposes fall within this article Publicity is an essential element
Morals: implies conformity to generally accepted standards of goodness or rightness in conduct or character Test of obscenity: whether the matter has a tendency to deprave or corrupt the minds of those who are open to immoral influences. A matter can also be considered obscene if it shocks the ordinary and common sense of men as indecency.
Sexual indulgence is not in itself immoral if done within the bounds of privacy and performed normally. The moment the parties carry their private rights and privileges to public view, they expose themselves to public scrutiny.
The test is objective. It is more on the effect upon the viewer and not alone on the conduct of the performer. If the material has the tendency to deprave and corrupt the mind of the viewer then the same is obscene and where such obscenity is made publicly, criminal liability arises. The law is not concerned with the moral of one person. As long as the pornographic matter or exhibition is made privately, there is no crime committed under the Revised Penal Code because what is protected is the morality of the public in general.
In committing this crime, there must be publicity. It means the act or acts done must come to the knowledge of third persons.
5.
6.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
If fenced and with prohibition of entry If fenced and entered to hunt/fish If not fenced and with no prohibition of entry 12. 13. 14. 15.
Who are considered prostitutes refer to women who habitually indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct for money or profit (if a man indulges in the same conduct: vagrancy)
Possession of prohibited interest by a public officer (Art. 216); Malversation of public funds or property Presumption of malversation (Art. 217) Failure of accountable officer to render accounts (Art. 218); Failure of a responsible public officer to render accounts before leaving the country (Art. 219); Illegal use of public funds or property (Art. 220); Failure to make delivery of public funds or property (Art. 221); Conniving with or consenting to evasion (Art. 223); Evasion through negligence (Art. 224); Escape of prisoner under the custody of a person not a public officer (Art. 225);
In law the mere indulging in lascivious conduct habitually because of money or gain would amount to prostitution, even if there is no sexual intercourse. Virginity is not a defense. Habituality is the controlling factor; it has to be more than one time. There cannot be prostitution by conspiracy. One who conspires with a woman in the prostitution business like pimps, taxi drivers or solicitors of clients are guilty of the crime under Article 341 for white slavery.
16. 17.
21. 22.
a. Takes part in the performance of public functions in the Government, or b. Performs public duties as an employee, agent or subordinate official in the govt or any of its branches
30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
Notes: a. Public officer must derive his authority from: 1. direct provision of law 2. popular election 3.appointment by competent authority
Usurpation of legislative powers (Art. 239); Usurpation of functions (Art. 240); executive
In defining the term public officers, the law makes the reference to the manner by which he is appointed to public office. He thus becomes a public officer because of his appointment by competent authority or because he is elected to public office.
Usurpation of judicial functions (Art. 241); Disobeying request disqualification (Art. 242); for
Orders or requests by executive officers to any judicial authority (Art. 243); Unlawful 244); and appointments (Art.
41. 42.
d. Misfeasance:
means improper performance of an act which might be properly be performed means performance of an act which ought not to be done means omission of an act which ought to be done
e. Malfeasance:
To be liable for the above crime, not only must the judgment be proved to be unjust .it must likewise be established to have been knowingly rendered. There must be a conscious and deliberate Malfeasance Doing of an act which a public officer should not have done usually intent to do an injustice. This occurs when the judge entertains Misfeasance Improper doing of an act which a person might lawfullygreed against hatred, envy, revenge, or do one of the parties. Nonfeasance Failure of an agent to perform his undertaking for the principal e. Abuse of discretion or mere error of judgment cannot likewise serve as basis for Article 204: rendering an unjust judgment KNOWINGLY RENDERING AN in the absence of proof or UNJUST JUDGMENT even an allegation of bad faith (motive or improper ELEMENTS: consideration). a. Offender is a judge b. Renders a judgment in the case submitted to him for judgment c. Judgment is unjust d. Knowledge that the decision is unjust Notes:
f. Nonfeasance:
a. Judgment:
final consideration and determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of the issues submitted to it in an action or proceeding
is
The law requires that the judgment must be written in the official language, personally and directly prepared by the judge, and signed by him. It must contain a clear and distinct statement of
Manifestly unjust judgment: one that is so contrary to law that even a person having meager knowledge of the law cannot doubt the injustice
d. That the delay is malicious, that is, the delay is caused by the judge with deliberate intent to inflict damage on either party in the case. Mere delay without malice is not punishable
INTERLOCUTORY
Malice must be proven. Malice is present where the delay is sought to favor one party to the prejudice of the other. These have been interpreted by the Supreme Court to refer only to judges of the trial court.
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a judge. b. That he performs any of the following acts: 1. knowingly renders unjust interlocutory order or decree, or 2. renders a manifestly unjust interlocutory order or decree through inexcusable negligence or ignorance.
The Constitution provides that cases submitted for decision before the Supreme Court must be resolved within two years. Before the Court of Appeals, such cases must be resolved within 1 year; and before the Regional Trial Court and Metropolitan Trial Court, such cases must be decided within a period of three months or ninety days.
Interlocutory order: one issued by the court deciding a collateral or incidental matter. It is not a final determination of the issues of the action or proceeding
OFFENSES; AND
The crime of knowingly rendering an unjust judgment, or knowingly issuing an unjust interlocutory order, may be committed only by a judge of a trial court and never of an appellate court. The reason for this is that in appellate court, not only one magistrate renders or issues the interlocutory order. An appellate court functions as a division and the resolutions thereof are handed down only after deliberations among the members of a division so that it cannot be said that there is malice or inexcusable negligence or ignorance in the rendering of a judgment or order that is supposedly unjust as held by the Supreme Court in one administrative case.
Maliciously refraining from instituting prosecution against violators of the law; Maliciously tolerating the commission of offenses.
2.
ELEMENTS OF DERELICTION OF DUTY IN THE PROSECUTION OF OFFENSES: a. That the offender is a public officer or officer of the law who has a duty to cause the prosecution of, or to prosecute offenses.
A public officer engaged in the prosecution of offenders shall maliciously tolerate the commission of crimes or refrain from prosecuting offenders or violators of the law. This crime can only be committed by a public officer whose official duty is to prosecute offenders, that is, state prosecutors. Hence, those officers who are not duty bound to perform these obligations cannot commit this crime in the strict sense.
The crime must be proved first before an officer can be convicted of dereliction of duty A public officer who harbors, conceals, or assists in the escape of an offender, when it is his duty to prosecute him is liable as principal in the crime of dereliction of duty in the prosecution of offenses. He is not an accessory Article not applicable to revenue officers
There must be a duty on the part of the public officer to prosecute or move for the prosecution of the offender. Note however, that a fiscal is under no compulsion to file an information based upon a complaint if he is not convinced that the evidence before him does not warrant filing an action in court
When a policeman tolerates the commission of a crime or otherwise refrains from apprehending the offender, such peace officer cannot be prosecuted for this crime but they can be prosecuted as: (1) An accessory to the crime committed by the principal in accordance with Article 19, paragraph 3; or He may become a fence if the crime committed is robbery or theft, in which case he violates the AntiFencing Law; or He may be held liable for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Relative to this crime under Article 208, consider the crime of qualified bribery. Among the amendments made by Republic Act No. 7659 on the Revised Penal Code is a new provision which reads as follows: Article. 211-A. Qualified Bribery If any public officer is entrusted with law enforcement and he refrains from arresting or prosecuting an offender who has committed a crime punishable by Reclusion Perpetua and/or death in consideration of any offer, promise, gift, or present, he shall suffer the penalty for the offense which was not prosecuted. If it is the public officer who asks or demands such gift or present, he shall suffer the penalty of death. Actually the crime is a kind of direct bribery where the bribe, offer, promise, gift or present has a consideration on the part of the public officer, that is refraining from arresting or prosecuting the offender in consideration for such offer, promise, gift or present. In a
(2)
(3)
Illustration: The offender was caught for white slavery. The policeman allowed the offender to go free for some consideration. The policeman does not violate Article 208 but he becomes an accessory to the crime of white slavery. But in the crime of theft or robbery, where the policeman shared in the loot and allowed the offender to go free, he becomes a fence.
(NOT NECESSARILY A PUBLIC OFFICER ALTHOUGH ALL LAWYERS ARE OFFICERS OF THE COURT) ACTS PUNISHED: a. Causing damage to client (prejudice is essential) either 1. by any malicious breach of professional duty, or 2. by inexcusable negligence or ignorance.
Note that only numbers 1, 2 and 3 must approximate malice. A lawyer who had already undertaken the case of a client cannot later on shift to the opposing party. This cannot be done. Under the circumstances, it is necessary that the confidential matters or information was confided to the lawyer in the latters professional capacity.
Direct bribery may be committed only in the attempted and consummated stages because, in frustrated felony, the offender must have performed all the acts of execution which would produce the felony as a consequence. In direct bribery, it is possible only if the corruptor concurs with the offender. Once there is concurrence, the direct bribery is already consummated. In short, the offender could not have performed all the acts of execution to produce the felony without consummating the same. Actually, you cannot have a giver unless there is one who is willing to receive and there cannot be a receiver unless there is one willing to give. So this crime requires two to commit. It cannot be said, therefore, that one has performed all the acts of execution which would produce the felony as a consequence but for reasons independent of the will, the crime was not committed. It is now settled, therefore, that the crime of bribery and corruption of public officials cannot be committed in the frustrated stage because this requires two to commit and that means a meeting of the minds. Illustrations: (1) If the public official accepted the corrupt consideration and turned it over to his superior as evidence of the corruption, the offense is attempted corruption only and not frustrated. The official did not agree to be corrupted. If the public officer did not report the same to his superior and actually accepted it, he allowed himself to be corrupted. The corruptor becomes liable for consummated corruption of public official. The public officer also becomes equally liable for consummated bribery. (2) If a public official demanded something from a taxpayer who pretended to agree and use marked money with the knowledge of the police, the crime of the public official is attempted bribery. The reason is that because the giver has no intention to corrupt her and therefore, he could not perform all the acts of execution. Be sure that what is involved is a crime of bribery, not extortion. If it
1.
2.
in consideration of an execution of an act which does not constitute a crime, but the act must be unjust (delivery of consideration is necessary), or 3. to refrain from doing something which is his official duty to do d. That the act which the offender agrees to perform or which he executes be connected with the performance of his official duties
Bribery refers to the act of the receiver and the act of the giver is corruption of public official.
For purposes of this article, temporary performance of public functions is sufficient to constitute a person a public officer. A private person may commit this crime only in the case in which custody of prisoners is entrusted to him Applicable arbitrators, also to appraisal assessors, and claim
Bribery exists when the gift is: a. voluntarily offered by a private person b. solicited by the public officer and voluntarily delivered by the private person c. solicited by the public officer but the private person delivers it out of fear of the consequences should the public officer perform his functions (here the crime by giver is not corruption of public officials due to involuntariness)
Actual receipt of the gift is not only if acts constitutes a crime necessary. An accepted offer or promise of a gift is sufficient. However, if the offer is not accepted, only the person offering the gift is liable for attempted corruption of a public officer The gift must have a value or capable of pecuniary estimation. It could be in the form of money, property or services If the act required of the public officer amounts to a crime and he commits it, he shall be liable for the penalty corresponding to the crime in addition to the penalty for bribery
In direct bribery, consider whether the official act, which the public officer agreed to do, is a crime or not. If it will amount to a crime, it is not necessary that the corruptor should deliver the consideration or the doing of the act. The moment there is a meeting of the minds, even without the delivery of the consideration, even without the public officer performing the act amounting to a crime, bribery is already committed on the part of the public officer. Corruption is already committed on the part of the supposed giver. The reason is that the agreement is a conspiracy involving the duty of a public officer. The mere agreement is a felony already. If the public officer commits the act which constitutes the crime, he, as well as the
The third type of bribery and prevaricacion (art 208) are similar offenses, both consisting of omissions to do an act required to be performed. In direct bribery however, a gift or promise is given in consideration of the omission. This is not necessary in prevaricacion
Bribery (210) Ro When the victim has committed a When the victim di crime and gives money/gift to avoid is intimidated with arrest or prosecution. deprive him of his Victim parts with his money or Victim is deprived property voluntarily. force or intimidatio Robbery should be distinguished from Bribery where a law enforcer, say a policeman, extorts money from a person, employing intimidation and threatening to arrest the latter if he will not come across with money may be guilty of Robbery (Article 294, par. 5) or Bribery (Article 210). If the victim actually committed a crime, and the policeman demanded money so he will not be arrested, the crime is Bribery. But if no crime has been committed and the policeman is falsely charging him of having committed one, threatening to arrest him if he will not come across with some consideration, the crime is Robbery.
Distinction between direct bribery and indirect bribery Bribery is direct when a public officer is called upon to perform or refrain from performing an official act in exchange for the gift, present or consideration given to him. If he simply accepts a gift or present given to him by reason of his public position, the crime is indirect bribery. Bear in mind that the gift is given "by reason of his office", not "in consideration" thereof. So never use the term consideration. The public officer in Indirect bribery is not to perform any official act. Note however that what may begin as an indirect bribery may actually ripen into direct bribery. Illustration:
He need not receive the gift or present because a mere offer or promise is sufficient.
The Supreme Court has laid down the rule that for indirect bribery to be committed, the public officer must have performed an act of appropriating of the gift for himself, his family or employees. It is the act of appropriating that signifies acceptance. Merely delivering the gift to the public officer does not bring about the crime. Otherwise it would be very easy to remove a public officer: just deliver a gift to him.
OF
PUBLIC
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender makes offers or promises or gives gifts or present to a public officer. b. That the offers or promises are made or the gifts or presents given to a public officer, under circumstances that will make the public officer liable for direct bribery or indirect bribery
There is no attempted or frustrated indirect bribery The principal distinction between direct and indirect bribery is that in the former, the officer agrees to perform or refrain from doing an act in consideration of the gift or promise. In the latter case, it is not necessary that the officer do any act. It is sufficient that he accepts the gift offered by reason of his office Public officers receiving gifts and private persons giving gifts on any occasion, including Christmas are liable under PD 46. The criminal penalty or imprisonment is distinct from the administrative penalty of suspension from the service
The offender is the giver of the gift or the offeror of the promise. The act may or may not be accomplished
(2)
Before the bribe-giver may be dropped from the information, he has to be charged first with the receiver. Before trial, prosecutor may move for dropping bribe-giver from information and be granted immunity. But first, five conditions have to be met: (1) (2) Information must consummated bribery; refer to
Information is necessary for the proper conviction of the public officer involved; That the information or testimony to be given is not yet in the possession of the government or known to the government; That the information can be corroborated in its material points; That the informant has not been convicted previously for any crime involving moral turpitude.
(3)
(2)
(4) (5)
These conditions are analogous to the conditions under the State Witness Rule under Criminal Procedure. The immunity granted the bribe-giver is limited only to the illegal transaction where the informant gave voluntarily the testimony. If there were other transactions where the informant also participated, he is not immune from prosecution. The immunity in one transaction does not extend to other transactions. The immunity attaches only if the information given turns out to be true and correct. If the same is false, the public officer may even file criminal and civil actions against the informant for perjury and the immunity under the decree will not protect him.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
4. 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. 5. 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 function 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. 6. Neglecting or refusing, after due demand or request, without sufficient justification, to act within a reasonable time on any matter pending before him for the purpose of obtaining directly or indirectly, from any person interested in the matter some pecuniary or material benefit or advantage, or for the purpose of favoring his own interest of giving undue advantage in favor of or discriminating against any other interested party. 7. 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. 8. Directly or indirectly having financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or take part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the constitution or by any law from having any interest. 9. Directly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal gain, or having a material interest in any
a.
d.
Spouse or any relative, by consanguinity or affinity, within the 3rd civil degree, of the president of the Philippines, the vice-president, the president of the Senate, or speaker of the house of Representatives, who shall intervene, directly or indirectly, in any business transaction, contract or application with the govt (Sec. 5). This prohibition shall not apply to:
III.
III. Competent court: All prosecutions under this Act shall be within the original jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan (Sec. 10). In case none of the principal accused are occupying positions corresponding to salary grade 27 or higher; PNP officers occupying the rank of superintendent or higher of their equivalent, exclusive jurisdiction over the case shall be vested in the proper Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court and Municipal Circuit Trial Court as the case may be. The decision of the court in these cases shall be appealable to the Sandiganbayan which exercises exclusive appellate jurisdiction over them. IV. Prescription of offenses: all offenses punishable under this Act shall prescribe in 15 years (Sec. 11). V. Exceptions: Unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value offered or given as a mere ordinary token of gratitude of friendship according to local customs or usage, shall be excepted from the provisions of this act (Sec. 14).
97 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA Article 213 FRAUDS AGAINST PUBLIC TREASURY
ELEMENTS: (par. 1) a. That the offender be a public officer. b. That he should have taken advantage of his office, that is, he intervened in the transaction in his official capacity. c. That he entered into an agreement with any interested party or speculator or made use of any other scheme with regard to (a) furnishing supplies (b) the making of contracts, or (c) the adjustment or settlement of account relating to a public property or funds. d. That the accused had intent to defraud the government.
For example, there was a need to put some additional lighting along a street and no one knows how much it will cost. An officer was asked to canvass the cost but he connived with the seller of light bulbs, pricing each light bulb at P550.00 instead of the actual price of P500.00. This is a case of fraud against public treasury. If there is a fixed outlay of P20,000.00 for the lighting apparatus needed and the public officer connived with the seller so that although allocation was made a lesser number was asked to be delivered, or of an inferior quality, or secondhand. In this case there is no fraud against the public treasury because there is a fixed allocation. The fraud is in the implementation of procurement. That would constitute the crime of other fraud in Article 214, which is in the nature of swindling or estafa. Be sure to determine whether fraud is against public treasury or one under Article 214.
Notes: a. The public officer must act in his official capacity b. The felony is consummated by merely entering into an agreement with any interested party or speculator or by merely making use of any scheme to defraud the Government
The essence of this crime is making the government pay for something not received or making it pay more than what is due. It is also committed by refunding more than the amount which should properly be refunded. This occurs usually in cases where a public officer whose official duty is to procure supplies for the government or enter into contract for government transactions, connives with the said supplier with the intention to defraud the government. Also when certain supplies for the government are purchased for the high price but its quantity or quality is low. Not all frauds will constitute this crime. There must be no fixed allocation or amount on the matter acted upon by the public officer. The allocation or outlay was made the basis of fraudulent quotations made by the public officer involved.
This can only be committed principally by a public officer whose official duty is to collect taxes, license fees, import duties and other dues payable to the government.
a. Mere demand of a larger or different amount is sufficient to consummate the crime. The essence is the improper collection (damage to govt is not required)
On the first form of illegal exaction In this form, mere demand will consummate the crime, even if the taxpayer shall refuse to come across with the amount being demanded. That will not affect the consummation of the crime. In the demand, it is not necessary that the amount being demanded is bigger than what is payable to the government. The amount being demanded maybe less than the amount due the government.
b. If sums are received without demanding the same, a felony under this article is not committed. However, if the sum is given as a sort of gift or gratification, the crime is indirect bribery c. When there is deceit in demanding larger fees, the crime committed is estafa d. May be complexed malversation with
Note that this is often committed with malversation or estafa because when a public officer shall demand an amount different from what the law provides, it can be expected that such public officer will not turn over his collection to the government. Illustrations: (1) A taxpayer goes to the local municipal treasurer to pay real estate taxes on his land. Actually, what is due the government is P400.00 only but the municipal treasurer demanded P500.00. By that demand alone, the crime of illegal exaction is already committed
(c)
Should the falsification be complexed with the malversation? As far as the crime of illegal exaction is concerned, it will be the subject of separate accusation because there, the mere demand regardless of whether the taxpayer will pay or not, will already consummate the crime of illegal exaction. It is the breach of trust by a public officer entrusted to make the collection which is penalized under such article. The falsification or alteration made on the duplicate can not be said as a means to commit malversation. At most, the duplicate was altered in order to conceal the malversation. So it cannot be complexed with the malversation. It cannot also be said that the falsification is a necessary means to commit the malversation because the public officer can misappropriate the P100.00 without any falsification. All that he has to do is to get the excess of P100.00 and misappropriate it. So the falsification is a separate accusation. However, illegal exaction may be complexed with malversation because illegal exaction is a necessary means to be able to collect the P100.00 excess which was malversed.
(b) (c)
Estafa for deceiving the taxpayer; and Malversation for getting the P100.00 from the vault.
Although the excess P100.00 was not covered by the Official Receipt, it was commingled with the other public funds in the vault; hence, it became part of public funds and subsequent extraction thereof constitutes malversation. Note that numbers 1 and 2 are complexed as illegal exaction with estafa, while in number 3, malversation is a distinct offense. The issuance of the Official Receipt is the operative fact to convert the payment into public funds. The payor may demand a refund by virtue of the Official Receipt. In cases where the payor decides to let the official to keep the change, if the latter should pocket the excess, he shall be liable for malversation. The official has no right but the government, under the principle of
b. That he becomes interested, directly or indirectly, in any transaction of exchange or speculation. c. That the transaction takes place within the territory subject to his jurisdiction. d. That he becomes interested in the transaction during his incumbency. Notes:
a. Examples of transactions
of exchange or speculation are: buying and selling stocks, commodities, land etc wherein one hopes to take advantage of an expected rise or fall in price b. Purchasing of stocks or shares in a company is simple investment and not a violation of the article. However, regularly buying securities for resale is speculation
Officers and employees of the BIR or Customs are not covered by the article. The NIRC or Administrative Code is the applicable law
These officers are authorized to make impositions and to enter into compromises.
PROHIBITED A PUBLIC
Section 13, Article VII of the Constitution The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet and their deputies or assistant shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold any other office or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. Section 2, Article IX-A of the Constitution No member of a Constitutional Commission shall, during his tenure, hold any office or employment. Neither shall he engage in the practice of any profession or in the active management or control of any business which in any way may be affected by the functions of his office, nor shall he be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including governmentowned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
Who are liable: a. Public officer in any contract or business in which it is his official duty to intervene.
b. Act is punished because of the possibility that fraud may be committed or that the officer may place his own interest above that of the Government or party which he represents The mere violation of the prohibition is already punished even if no actual fraud occurs because of the possibility that fraud may be committed or that the officer may place his own interest above that of the government or party he represents. (U. S. vs. Udarbe, 28 Phil. 383)
MALVERSATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS OR PROPERTY Article 217 MALVERSATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS OR PROPERTY
ELEMENTS COMMON TO ALL ACTS MALVERSATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS OR PROPERTY : a. That the offender be a public officer (or private person if entrusted with public funds or connived with public officers)
Section 14, Article VI of the Constitution No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the
3.
Consented or, through abandonment or negligence, permitted any other person to take such public funds or property. (it is not necessary that the offender profited thereby. His being remiss in the duty of safekeeping public funds violates the trust reposed) Concept of Malversation It consists in the misappropriation or conversion of public funds or property to ones personal use or knowingly, or through abandonment or negligence allowing other to use or appropriate the same. The offender is made liable because of the nature of his duties to take care of the funds or property entrusted to him with the diligence of a good father of a family. He is accountable by virtue of the nature of his office to account for funds or properties that come to his possession. If he is not accountable for the funds or properties and he misappropriates the same, the crime will not be malversation but estafa under Article 315.
There is no crime of malversation through negligence. The crime is malversation, plain and simple, whether committed through dolo or culpa. There is no crime of malversation under Article 365 on criminal negligence because in malversation under Article 217, the same penalty is imposed whether the malversation results from negligence or was the product of deliberate act.
In determining whether the offender is a public officer, what is controlling is the nature of his office and not the designation
The offender, to commit malversation, must be accountable for the funds or property misappropriated by him. If he is not the one accountable but somebody else, the crime committed is theft. It will be qualified theft if there is abuse of confidence. Accountable officer does not refer only to cashier, disbursing officers or property custodian. Any public officer having custody of public funds or property for which he is accountable can commit the crime of malversation if he would misappropriate such fund or property or allow others to do so.
Malversation is embezzlement
otherwise
called
This crime is predicated on the relationship of the offender to the property or funds involved. The offender must be accountable for the property misappropriated. If the fund or property, though public in character is the responsibility of another officer, malversation is not committed unless there is conspiracy.
The funds or property must be received in an official capacity. Otherwise, the crime committed is estafa
In determining whether the offender is liable for malversation, it is the nature of the duties of the public officer that controls. While the name of the office is
When private property is attached or seized by public authority and the public officer accountable therefor misappropriates the same, malversation is committed also. Illustration:
The measure of negligence to be observed is the standard of care commensurate with the occasion When malversation is not committed through negligence, lack of criminal intent or good faith is a defense The failure of a public officer to have any duly forthcoming public funds or property upon demand, by any authorized officer, shall be prima facie evidence that he has put such missing funds or property to personal use. However, if at the very moment when the shortage is discovered, the accountable officer is notified, and he immediately pays the amount from his pocket, the presumption does not arise
Estafa It is usually committed by a private individual Funds or property of misappropriation are privately owned. The offender appropriates personally the funds or property.
Malversation Committed by accountable public officers The object is public fund or property. Personal appropriation is not indispensable because allowing others to commit the misappropriation is also malversation.
An accountable public officer may be convicted even if there is no direct evidence of misappropriation and the only evidence is the shortage in his account which he has not been able to explain satisfactorily. (Palma Gil vs. People) If a public officer reports the loss of money before a cash examination is conducted and the cause of the loss as reported has a distinct ring of truth to it, the legal presumption of prima facie evidence of guilt will not apply. In order to support conviction, the prosecution must prove the actual misappropriation of the missing funds.(Salvacion vs. The Honorable Sandiganbayan, G. R. No. 68233, July 11, 1986)
When a public officer has official custody or the duty to collect or receive funds due the government, or the obligation to account for them, his misappropriation of the same constitutes malversation
Note that the moment any money is commingled with the public fund even if not due the government, it becomes impressed with the characteristic of being part of public funds. Once they are commingled, you do not know anymore which belong to the government and which belong to the private persons. So that a public vault or safe should not be used to hold any fund other that what is due to the government.
In malversation thru negligence, the negligence of the accountable public officer must be positively and clearly shown to be inexcusable, approximating fraud or malice
Under jurisprudence, when the public officer leaves his post without locking his drawer,
To rebut the presumption of guilt prima facie under Article 217, the accused must raise the issue of accuracy, correctness and regularity in the conduct of audit. If asked for a second audit before the filing of the information against him and the same was denied, and during the trial, some disbursement vouchers were introduced which were not considered in the first audit, the denial of the request for a second audit is fatal to the cause of the prosecution because in the meantime, the evidence introduced does not establish a fact beyond reasonable doubt. Had the reaudit requested by the accused been
Payment of the amount misappropriated or restitution of property misappropriated does not erase criminal liability but only civil liability.
(3)
There is also no malversation when the accountable officer is obliged to go out of his office and borrow the amount corresponding to the shortage and later, the missing amount is found in an unaccustomed place A person whose negligence made possible the commission of malversation by another can be held liable as a principal by indispensable cooperation
(4)
It is not necessary that the accountable public officer should actually misappropriate the fund or property involved. It is enough that he has violated the trust reposed on him in connection with the property.
Technical malversation is not included in the crime of malversation. In malversation, the offender misappropriates public funds or property for his own personal use, or allows any other person to take such funds or property for the latters own personal use. In technical malversation, the public officer applies the public funds or property under his administration to another public use different from that for which the public fund was appropriated by law or ordinance. Recourse: File the proper information.
Note that damage on the part of the government is not considered an essential element. It is enough that the proprietary rights of the government over the funds have been disturbed through breach of trust.
The grant of loans through the vale system is a clear case of an accountable officer consenting to the improper or unauthorized use of public funds by other persons, which is punishable by law. To tolerate such a practice is to give a license to every disbursing officer to conduct a lending operation with the use of public funds. There is no law or regulation allowing accountable officers to extend loans to anyone against the vales or chits given in exchange by the borrowers. (Meneses vs. Sandiganbayan)
1. cashiers
105 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA 2. storekeepers 3. warehousemen and 4. those who by the nature of their position become custodian or public funds or property.
Note: Demand and misappropriation are not necessary
It is sufficient that there is a law or regulation requiring him to render an account. It is the failure to follow the requirement of the law that is made punishable. It is not necessary that the offender prevent the situation of the crime being committed because of the failure of the accountable officer to render an account.
Article 219 FAILURE OF A RESPONSIBLE PUBLIC OFFICER TO RENDER ACCOUNTS BEFORE LEAVING THE COUNTRY
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer. b. That he must be an accountable officer for public funds or property. c. That he must have unlawfully left (or be on the point of leaving) the Philippines without securing from the Commission on Audit a certificate showing that his accounts have been finally settled.
Who can commit this crime? A responsible public officer, not necessarily an accountable one, who leaves the country without first securing clearance from the Commission on Audit.
To distinguish this article with Art 217, just remember that in illegal use of public funds or property, the offender does not derive any personal gain, the funds are merely devoted to some other public use Absence of damage is only a mitigating circumstance
Note: The act of leaving the Philippines must be unauthorized or not permitted by law
Mere leaving without securing clearance constitutes violation of the Revised Penal Code. It is not necessary that they really misappropriated public funds.
Since damage is not an element of malversation, even though the application made proved to be more beneficial to public interest than the original purpose for which the amount or property was appropriated by law, the public officer involved is still liable for technical malversation. If public funds were not yet appropriated by law or ordinance, and this was applied to a public purpose by the custodian thereof, the crime is plain and simple malversation, not technical malversation. If the funds had been appropriated for a particular public
Article 220
ELEMENTS: a. Offender has govt funds or property in his possession b. He is under obligation to either: 1. make payment from such funds 2. to deliver property in his custody or administration when ordered by competent authority c. He maliciously fails or refuses to do so Note: Penalty is based on value of funds/property to be delivered
Article 222 PERSONS WHO MAY BE HELD LIABLE UNDER ARTS 217 TO 221
a. Private individual who, in any capacity, have charge of any national, provincial or municipal funds, revenue, or property b. Administrator or depositary of funds or property that has been attached, seized or deposited by public authority, even if owned by a private individual Sheriffs and receivers fall under the term administrator A judicial administrator in charge of settling the estate of the deceased is not covered by the article
Here, the funds or property belong to private individuals, but they are considered public funds or property if they come to the possession of the public officer because of 1) a writ of attachment; or 2) if they are seized by virtue of a search warrant. Or 3) if they are ordered deposited pending determination of ownership in the administrative or judicial proceedings.
OR
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer (on duty). b. That he is conveyance prisoner, prisoner or judgment. charged with the or custody of a either detention prisoner by final
c. That such prisoner escapes through his negligence. d. Penalty based on nature of imprisonment The article punishes a definite laxity which amounts to deliberate nonperformance of a duty
c. That such prisoner escaped from his custody d. That he was in connivance with the prisoner in the latters escape
Not every error is negligence under this article. To be liable, the negligence must be notorious and apparent. The laxity must be definite and must seriously suggest a deliberate nonperformance of a duty. The negligence which is punishable however is not such definite laxity at all but that which amounts to deliberate nonperformance of the jailer or the guard. So that if a policemen on guard duty unlocked the door of the jail to let a detention prisoner go out so he can clean the premises, but on the latters third trip to a nearby faucet, he walked behind the police headquarters climbed over the wall and escape, the crime is not committed. (People vs. Solis, C.A. 43 O.G. 580). The fact that the public officer recaptured the prisoner who had escaped from his custody does not afford complete exculpation The liability of an escaping prisoner: a. if he is a prisoner by final judgment, he is liable for evasion of service (art 157) b. if he is a detention prisoner, he does not incur criminal liability (unless cooperating with the offender).
Detention prisoner: refers to a person in legal custody, arrested for and charged with some crime or public offense The release of a detention prisoner who could not be delivered to judicial authorities within the time fixed by law is not infidelity in the custody of a prisoner. Neither is mere leniency or laxity in the performance of duty constitutive of infidelity There is real and actual evasion of service of sentence when the custodian permits the prisoner to obtain a relaxation of his imprisonment
A municipal mayor who utilized the prisoners services for domestic chores in his house, including using him as a cook is liable for faithlessness in the custody of prisoner (Art. 223) even though the convict may not have fled, in as much as the prisoners leaving the prison was effected through him. (People vs. Evangelista, C.A. 38 O.G. 158).
Article 224
Article 225
108 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA ESCAPE OF PRISONERS UNDER THE CUSTODY OF A PERSON NOT A PUBLIC OFFICER
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a private person (note: must be on duty) b. That the conveyance or custody of a prisoner or person under arrest is confined to him. c. That the prisoner or person under arrest escapes. d. That the offender consents to the escape of the prisoner or person under arrest, or that the escape takes place through his negligence
Question & Answer If a private person approached the custodian of the prisoner and for a certain consideration, told the custodian to leave the door of the cell unlocked for the prisoner to escape. What crime had been committed? It is not infidelity in the custody of prisoners because as far as the private person is concerned, this crime is delivering prisoners from jail. The infidelity is only committed by the custodian. This crime can be committed also by a private person if the custody of the prisoner has been confided to a private person. Illustration: A policeman escorted a prisoner to court. After the court hearing, this policeman was shot at with a view to liberate the prisoner from his custody. The policeman fought the attacker but he was fatally wounded. When he could no longer control the prisoner, he went to a nearby house, talked to the head of the family of that house and asked him if he could give the custody of the prisoner to him. He said yes. After the prisoner was handcuffed in his hands, the policeman expired. Thereafter, the head of the family of that private house asked the prisoner if he could afford to give something so that he would allow him to go. The prisoner said, Yes, if you would allow me to leave, you can come with me and I will give the money to you. This private persons went with the prisoner and when the money was given, he allowed him to go. What crime/s had been committed? Under Article 225, the crime can be committed by a private person to whom the custody of a prisoner has been confided. Where such private person, while performing a private function by virtue of a provision of law, shall accept any consideration or gift for the non-performance of a duty confided to him, Bribery is also committed. So the crime committed by him is infidelity in the custody of prisoners and bribery. If the crime is delivering prisoners from jail, bribery is just a means, under Article 156, that would call for the imposition of a heavier penalty, but not a separate charge of bribery under Article 156. But under Article 225 in infidelity, what is basically punished is the breach of trust because the offender is the custodian. For that, the crime is infidelity. If he violates the trust because of some consideration, bribery is also committed.
Note: This article is not applicable if a private person made the arrest and he consented to the escape of the person he arrested
The offender under this article is not the one who arrested the escaping prisoner but one who agreed to have the custody or charge of the prisoner or person under arrest. ORTEGA NOTES:
The crime is infidelity in the custody of prisoners if the offender involved is the custodian of the prisoner. If the offender who aided or consented to the prisoners escaping from confinement, whether the prisoner is a convict or a detention prisoner, is not the custodian, the crime is delivering prisoners from jail under Article156. The crime of infidelity in the custody of prisoners can be committed only by the custodian of the prisoner. If the jail guard who allowed the prisoner to escape is already off-duty at that time and he is no longer the custodian of the prisoner, the crime committed by him is delivering prisoners from jail. Note that you do not apply here the principle of conspiracy that the act of one is the act of all. The party who is not the custodian who conspired with the custodian in allowing the prisoner to escape does not commit infidelity in the custody of the prisoner. He commits the crime of delivering prisoners from jail.
The document must be complete and one by which a right could be established or an obligation could be extinguished Books, periodicals, pamphlets etc are not documents Papers would include checks, promissory notes and paper money
Removal of a document presupposes unlawful appropriation of the official document. Destruction means to render the document useless. Its nature to prove the existence of a fact is lost such that it cannot anymore prove the probability or improbability of a fact in issue. Concealment on the other hand means to make it appear that the document is not available.
A post office official who retained the mail without forwarding the letters to their destination is guilty of infidelity in the custody of papers Removal of a document or paper must be for an illicit purpose.
If the removal of the document is for a lawful purpose and that is, to secure the same from imminent danger or loss, there is no crime committed under the law, (Kataniag vs. People, 74 Phil. 45). There is illicit purpose when the intention of the offender is to: a. tamper with it b. to profit by it c. to commit any act constituting a breech of trust in the official thereof
The act of removal, destruction or concealment should be coupled with criminal intent or malice (Manzanaris vs. Sandiganbayan, et al., G.R. No. 64750, Jan. 30, 1984). Removal is consummated upon removal or secreting away of the document from its usual place. It is immaterial whether or not the illicit purpose of the offender has been accomplished
Removal of public records by the custodian does not require that the record be brought out of the premises where it is kept. It is
ELEMENTS : a. That the offender is a public officer. b. That he is charged with the custody of papers or property. c. That these papers or property are sealed by proper authority. d. That he breaks the seals or permits them to be broken.
Infidelity in the custody of documents through destruction or concealment does not require proof of an illicit purpose
Where in case for bribery or corruption, the monetary considerations was marked as exhibits, such considerations acquires the nature of a document such that if the same would be spent by the custodian the crime is not malversation but Infidelity in the custody of public records, because the money adduced as exhibits partake the nature of a document and not as money. Although such monetary consideration acquires the nature of a document, the best evidence rule does not apply here. Example, photocopies may be presented in evidence.
It is the breaking of the seals and not the opening of a closed envelope which is punished Damage or intent to cause damage is not necessary; damage is presumed
Delivering the document to the wrong party is infidelity in the custody thereof The damage may either be great or small
If the official document is sealed or otherwise placed in an official envelope, the element of damage is not required. The mere breaking of the seal or the mere opening of the document would already bring about infidelity even though no damage has been suffered by anyone or by the public at large. The offender does not have to misappropriate the same. Just trying to discover or look what is inside is infidelity already. A crime is already committed regardless of whether the contents of the document are secret or private. It is enough that it is entrusted to him in a sealed form or in a closed envelope and he broke the seal or opened the envelop. Public trust is already violated if he managed to look into the contents of the document. Distinction between infidelity and theft There is infidelity if the offender opened the letter but did not take the same. There is theft if there is intent to gain when the offender took the money. Note that the document must be complete in legal sense. If the writings are mere form, there is no crime. Illustration: As regard the payroll, which has not been signed by the Mayor, no infidelity is committed because the document is not yet a payroll in the legal sense since the document has not been signed yet. In "breaking of seal", the word "breaking" should not be given a literal meaning. Even if actually, the seal was not broken, because
Damage to public interest is necessary. However, material damage is not necessary. Although there is no material damage caused, mere delay in rendering public service is considered damage.
Distinction between infidelity in the custody of public document, estafa and malicious mischief In infidelity in the custody of public document, the offender is the custodian of the official document removed or concealed.
In estafa, the offender is not the custodian of the document removed or concealed. In malicious mischief, the offender purposely destroyed and damaged the property/document.
affect
public
OF
CLOSED
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer. b. That any closed papers, documents, or objects are entrusted to his custody. c. That he opens or permits to be opened said closed papers, documents or objects. d. That he does not have proper authority.
The secrets referred to in this article are those which have an official or public character. It does not include secret information regarding private individuals. Nor does it include military or State secrets in as much as the revelation of the same is classified as espionage, a crime in violation of the national security of the State. b. Secrets of a private individual is not included c. Espionage for the benefit of another State is not contemplated by the article. If regarding military secrets or secrets affecting state security, the crime may be espionage. ELEMENTS OF PAR 2 DELIVERING WRONGFULLY PAPERS OR COPIES OF PAPERS OF WHICH HE MAY HAVE CHARGE AND WHICH SHOULD NOT BE PUBLISHED: a. That the offender is a public officer. b. That he has charge of papers. c. That those papers should not be published. d. That he delivers those papers or copies thereof to a third person. e. That the delivery is wrongful.
In Article 227 , the mere breaking of the seal is what is made punishable while in Article 228 , the mere opening of closed documents is enough to hold the offender criminally liable. The breaking of the seal or the opening of the closed document must be done without lawful authority or order from competent authority. In both offenses, damage to the public interest is not required.
f. Notes:
REVEALING PRIVATE
Note: Judgment should have been rendered in a hearing and issued within proper jurisdiction with all legal solemnities required
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer b. That he knows of the secret of a private individual by reason of his office. c. That he reveals such secrets without authority or justification reason.
The term execute as found in the law does not only means performance of an act since the judgment, decision or order may also direct the nonperformance of an act. The article does not apply to the members of Congress.
Revelation to one person is sufficient If the offender is an attorney, he is properly liable under Art 209 (betrayal of trust by an attorney) Damage to private individual is not necessary
Article 232 DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDER OF SUPERIOR OFFICER WHEN SAID ORDER WAS SUSPENDED BY INFERIOR OFFICER
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer. b. That an order is issued by his superior for execution.
c. That he has for any reason suspended the execution of such order. d. That his superior disapproves the suspension of the execution of the order. e. That the offender disobeys his superior despite the disapproval of the suspension.
Note: A public officer is not liable if the order of the superior is illegal
What is contemplated here is a situation where the subordinate has some doubts regarding the legality of the order.
DISCHARGE
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is elected by popular election to a public office. b. That he refuses to be sworn in or discharge the duties of said office. c. That there is no legal motive for such refusal to be sworn in or to discharge the duties of said office.
After proclamation of a candidate to a public office, it becomes his duty to render public service. Since it is his duty, then his refusal to perform such duty is punishable under the law.
Damage is essential whether great or small. But the penalty is affected by the seriousness of the damage. Note that the refusal must be done with malice. Demand is necessary
Note: Even if the person did not run for the office on his own will as the Constitution provides that every citizen may be required to render service
The situation contemplated herein may refer to the administration of justice before the case is filed in court. Competent authority may refer to persons in authority who are charged by the law to help in the administration of justice. The term may refer to police authorities. However, when a case under investigation reaches the court, the remedy may not be limited to incurring criminal liability under this article because the refusal may already be punished as direct or indirect contempt of court.
c. That he maltreats such prisoner in either of the following manners: 1. By overdoing himself in the correction or handling of a prisoner or detention prisoner under his charge either by the imposition of punishments not authorized by the regulations, or by inflicting such punishments (those authorized) in a cruel and humiliating manner, or
The offended party here must be a prisoner in the legal sense. The mere fact that a private citizen had been apprehended or arrested by a law enforcer does not constitute him a prisoner. To be a prisoner, he must have been booked and incarcerated no matter how short it is. Illustration: A certain snatcher was arrested by a law enforcer, brought to the police precinct, turned over to the custodian of that police precinct. Every time a policeman entered the police precinct, he would ask, What is this fellow doing here? What crime has he committed?. The other policeman would then tell, This fellow is a snatcher. So every time a policeman would come in, he would inflict injury to him. This is not maltreatment of prisoner because the offender is not the custodian. The crime is only physical injuries. But if the custodian is present there and he allowed it, then he will be liable also for the physical injuries inflicted, but not for maltreatment because it was not the custodian who inflicted the injury. But if it is the custodian who effected the maltreatment, the crime will be maltreatment of prisoners plus a separate charge for physical injuries.
2. by maltreating such prisoner to extort a confession or to obtain some information from the prisoner.
The maltreatment does not really require physical injuries. Any kind of punishment not authorized or though authorized if executed in excess of the prescribed degree. But if as a result of the maltreatment, physical injuries were caused to the prisoner, a separate crime for the physical injuries shall be filed. You do not complex the crime of physical injuries with the maltreatment because the way Article 235 is worded, it prohibits the complexing of the crime. If the maltreatment was done in order to extort confession, therefore, the constitutional right of the prisoner is further violated. The penalty is qualified to the next higher degree.
Offender may also be held liable for physical injuries or damage caused
The public officer must have actual charge of the prisoner in order to be held liable
If the public officer is not the custodian of the prisoner, and he manhandles the latter, the crime is physical injuries.
If a Barangay Captain maltreats a person after the latters arrest but before confinement, the offense is not maltreatment but physical injuries. The victim must actually be confined either as a convict or a detention prisoner for Art. 235 to apply. (People vs. Baring, et al., 37 O.G. 1366).
115 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA Article 237 PROLONGING PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES AND POWERS
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is holding a public office. b. That the period provided by law, regulations or special provisions for holding such office has already expired. c. That he continues to exercise the duties and powers of such office. Note: The article contemplates officers who have been suspended, separated or declared over-aged or dismissed The offense is qualified if the purpose behind the abandonment is to evade the discharge of duties consisting of preventing, prosecuting or punishing any of the crimes against national security. The penalty is higher ( one degree ). This involves the following crimes: a. treason b. conspiracy and proposal to commit conspiracy c. misprision of treason d. espionage e. inciting to war or giving motives to reprisals f. violation of neutrality g. correspondence with hostile country h. flight to enemy country i. piracy and mutiny on the high seas j. rebellion k. conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion l. disloyalty to public officers m. inciting to rebellion n. sedition o. conspiracy to commit sedition p. inciting to sedition
The crime is committed only if the public officer has lost every right to the office because there are offices which require the officer to continue serving as such properly relieved. The law is intended to put an end to the principle of hold over.
Abandonment of Office or Position Dereli (238) There is actual abandonment through Public officer d resignation to evade the discharge of but merely fails duties. the law.
Oral resignation is not allowed. The resignation must be in writing and directed to the appointing power who has the authority to accept or disapprove the same. This requirement is indispensable because the letter of resignation goes into a process.
b. That he (a.) makes general rules or regulations beyond the scope of his authority or (b.) attempts to repeal a law or (c.) suspends the execution thereof.
Note: Legislative officers are not liable for usurpation of executive functions
c.
Note: A mayor is guilty under this article when he investigates a case while a justice of the peace is in the municipality
Note: Legislative or judicial officers are not liable under this article
FOR
b. c. d.
That he nominates or appoints a person to a public office. That such person lacks the legal qualification therefor. That the offender knows that his nominee or appointee lacks the qualification at the time he made the nomination or appointment.
ELEMENTS: a. That the offender is a public officer. b. c. That a proceeding is pending before such public officer. That there is a question brought before the proper authority regarding his jurisdiction, which is not yet decided. That he has been lawfully required to refrain from continuing the proceeding. That he continues the proceeding.
Recommending, knowing that the person recommended is not qualified is not a crime
d.
e.
The word nominate is not the same as recommend. To nominate is to guarantee to the appointing power that the person nominated has all the qualifications to the office. Recommendation on the other hand
This crime cannot be committed if the warden is a woman and the prisoner is a man. Men have no chastity. If the warden is also a woman but is a lesbian, it is submitted that this crime could be committed, as the law does not require that the custodian be a man but requires that the offended be a woman.
Solicit: means to propose earnestly and persistently something unchaste and immoral to a woman
The word solicit means to demand earnestly. In this case, the demand is for sexual favor. It must be immoral or indecent and done by the public officer taking advantage of his position as one who can help by rendering a favorable decision or unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to a person under his custody. The crime is consummated by mere proposal
It is not necessarily for the offended party to surrender her virtue to consummate the crime. Mere proposal is sufficient to consummate the crime.
Even if the woman may have lied with the hearing officer or to the public officer and acceded to him, that does not change the crime because the crime seeks to penalize the taking advantage of official duties. It is immaterial whether the woman did not agree or agreed to the solicitation. If the woman did not agree and the public officer involved pushed through with the advances, attempted rape may have been committed. Legally, a prisoner is an accountability of the government. So the custodian is not supposed to interfere. Even if the prisoner may like it, he is not supposed to do that. Otherwise, abuse against chastity is committed. If he forced himself against the will of the woman, another crime is committed, that is, rape aside from abuse against chastity. You cannot consider the abuse against chastity as absorbed in the rape because the basis of penalizing the acts is different from each other.
(Anti-
TITLE EIGHT CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS Crimes against persons 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Parricide (Art. 246); Murder (Art. 248); Homicide (Art. 249); Death caused in a tumultuous affray (Art. 251); Physical injuries inflicted in a tumultuous affray (Art. 252); Giving assistance to suicide (Art. 253); Discharge of firearms (Art. 254); Infanticide (Art. 255); Intentional abortion (Art. 256); Unintentional 257); abortion (Art.
Committed by any person having authority, influence or moral ascendancy over another in a work, training or education environment when he or she demands, requests, or otherwise requires any sexual favor from the other regardless of whether the demand, request or requirement for submission is accepted by the object of the said act (for a passing grade, or granting of scholarship or honors, or payment of a stipend, allowances, benefits, considerations; favorable compensation terms, conditions, promotions or when the refusal to do so results in a detrimental consequence for the victim). Also holds liable any person who directs or induces another to commit any act of sexual harassment, or who cooperates in the commission, the head of the office, educational or training institution solidarily. Complaints to be handled by a committee on decorum, which shall be determined by rules and regulations on such. Administrative sanctions shall not be a bar to prosecution in the proper courts for unlawful acts of sexual harassment.
Abortion practiced by the woman herself or by her parents (Art. 258); Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives (Art. 259); Duel (Art. 260); Challenging to a duel (Art. 261); Mutilation (Art. 262); Serious physical injuries (Art. 263); Administering injurious substances or beverages (Art. 264);
12.
119 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA 18. 19. 20. Less serious physical injuries (Art. 265); Slight physical injuries and maltreatment (Art. 266); and Rape (Art. 266-A). DESTRUCTION OF LIFE Article 246 PARRICIDE
ELEMENTS: 1. That a person is killed. 2. That the deceased is killed by the accused. 3. That the deceased is the father, mother, or child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, or a legitimate other ascendant or other descendant, or the legitimate spouse of the accused. Notes: 1. The relationship of the offender with the victim is the essential element of the felony
The relationship must be in the direct line and not in the collateral line. The relationship between the offender and the offended party must be legitimate, except when the offender and the offended party are related as parent and child. The only illegitimate relationship that can bring about parricide is that between parents and illegitimate children as the offender and the offended parties. Illustration: A is the parent of B, the illegitimate daughter. B married C and they begot a legitimate child D. If D, daughter of B and C, would kill A, the grandmother, the crime cannot be parricide anymore because of the intervening illegitimacy. The relationship between A and D is no longer legitimate. Hence, the crime committed is homicide or murder.
A, an illegitimate son of B, who killed the legitimate father of the latter, is not guilty of Parricide because in case of other ascendants (grandparents, great grandparents, etc.), the relationship with the killer must be legitimate. The same is true with other descendants that is, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc.
4. The child should not be less than 3 days old. Otherwise, the offense is infanticide
That the mother killed her child in order to conceal her dishonor is not mitigating. This is immaterial to the crime of parricide, unlike in the case of infanticide. If the child is less than three days old when killed, the crime is infanticide and intent to conceal her dishonor is considered mitigating.
5. Relationship alleged
must
be
Except between husband and wife, the offender must be related to the offended party by blood. 2. Parents and children are not included in the term ascendants or descendants 3. The other ascendant or descendant must be legitimate. On the other hand, the father, mother or child may be legitimate or illegitimate
If the offender and the offended party, although related by blood and in the direct line, are separated by an intervening illegitimate relationship, parricide can no longer be committed. The illegitimate relationship between the child and the parent renders all relatives after the child in the direct line to be illegitimate too.
In killing a spouse, there must be a valid subsisting marriage at the time of the killing. Also, the information should allege the fact of such valid marriage between the accused and the victim. In a ruling by the Supreme Court, it was held that if the information did not allege that the accused was legally married to the victim, he could not be convicted of parricide even if the marriage was established during the trial. In such cases, relationship shall be appreciated as generic aggravating circumstance. The Supreme Court has also ruled that Muslim husbands with several wives can be convicted of parricide only in case the first wife is killed. There is no parricide if the other wives are killed although their marriage is recognized as valid. This is so because a Catholic man can commit the crime only once. If a Muslim husband could commit this crime more than once, in effect, he is being punished for the marriage which the law itself authorized him to contract.
7.
Even if the offender did not know that the person he had killed is his son, he is still liable for parricide because the law does not require knowledge of the relationship Article 365 expressly provides that parricide can be committed through reckless imprudence. The penalty will not be under Article 246 but under Article 365. Similarly, parricide can be committed by mistake. This is demonstrated in a situation where a person wanting to kill a stranger, kills his own father by mistake. Although the crime committed is parricide, the offender will not be punished under Article 246 but under Article 49, which prescribes a penalty much lower than that provided under Article 246.
If the accused fails to establish the circumstances called for in Article 247, he/she will be guilty of Parricide and Murder or Homicide if the victims were killed. 2. Not necessary that the parent be legitimate 3. Article applies only when the daughter is single
4.
to or
5. Art 247 is applicable when the accused did not see his spouse in the act sexual intercourse with another person. However, it is enough that circumstances reasonably show that the carnal act is being committed or has been committed
9. No criminal liability is incurred when less serious or slight physical injuries are inflicted. Moreover, in case third persons caught in the crossfire suffer physical injuries, the accused is not liable. The principle that one is liable for the consequences of his felonious act is not applicable because he is not committing a felony
In the case of People v. Abarca, 153 SCRA 735, two persons suffered physical injuries as they were caught in the crossfire when the accused shot the victim. A complex crime of double frustrated murder was not committed as the accused did not have the intent to kill the two victims. Here, the accused did not commit murder when he fired at the paramour of his wife. Inflicting death under exceptional circumstances is not murder. The accused was held liable for negligence under the first part, second paragraph of Article 365, that is, less serious physical injuries through simple negligence. No aberratio ictus because he was acting lawfully. A person who acts under Article 247 is not committing a crime. Since this is merely an exempting circumstance, the accused must first be charged with: (1) (2) Parricide if the spouse is killed; Murder or homicide depending on how the killing was done insofar as the paramour or the mistress is concerned; Homicide through simple negligence, if a third party is killed;
7.
Immediately thereafter: means that the discovery, escape, pursuit and the killing must all form parts of one continuous act
The phrase immediately thereafter has been interpreted to mean that between the surprising and the killing of the inflicting of the physical injury, there should be no break of time. In other words, it must be a continuous process. If there was already a break of time between the sexual act and the killing or inflicting of the injury, the law presupposes that the offender regained his reason and therefore, the article will not apply anymore.
(3) (4)
Physical injuries through reckless imprudence, if a third party is injured. If death results or the physical injuries are serious, there is criminal liability although the penalty is only destierro. The banishment is intended more for the protection of the offender rather than a penalty. If the crime committed is less serious physical injuries or slight physical injuries, there is no criminal liability.
8. The killing must be the direct by-product of the rage of the accused
Article 247 does not provide that the victim is to be killed instantly by the accused after surprising his spouse in the act of intercourse. What is required is that the killing is the proximate result of the outrage overwhelming the accused upon the discovery of the infidelity of his spouse. The killing should have been actually motivated by the same blind impulse.
c. by means of inundation, fire, poison, explosion, shipwreck, stranding of vessel, derailment or assault upon a street car or locomotive, fall of airship, by means of motor vehicles or with the use of any other means involving great waste or ruin d. on occasion of any of the calamities enumerated in the preceding paragraph, or of an earthquake, eruption of a volcano, destructive cyclone, epidemic or any other public calamity e. with evident premeditation f. with cruelty, by deliberately and inhumanely augmenting the suffering of the victim or outraging or scoffing at his person or corpse is not parricide or
Ortega Notes:
In murder, any of the following qualifying circumstances is present: (1) Treachery, taking advantage of superior strength, aid or armed men, or employing means to waken the defense, or of means or persons to insure or afford impunity; There is treachery when the offender commits any of the crimes against the person employing means, methods or forms in the execution thereof that tend directly and especially to insure its execution without risk to himself arising from the defense which the offended party might make. This circumstance involves means, methods, form in the execution of the killing which may actually be an aggravating circumstance also, in which case, the treachery absorbs the same. Illustration: A person who is determined to kill resorted to the cover of darkness at nighttime to insure the killing. Nocturnity becomes a means that constitutes treachery and the killing would be murder. But if the aggravating circumstance of nocturnity is considered by itself, it is not one of those which qualify a homicide to murder. One might think the killing is homicide unless nocturnity is considered as constituting treachery, in which case the crime is murder.
While the circumstance of by a band is not among those enumerated that could qualify killing to murder, it would seem that if the killers constituted a band, the crime is murder because the circumstance of with the aid of armed men is included in the qualifying circumstances. 1. The victim must be killed in order to consummate the offense. Otherwise, it would be attempted or frustrated murder Killing a person with treachery is murder even if there is no intent to kill. (People vs. Cagoco, 58 Phil. 530)
(5)
When the actual victim turns out to be different from the intended victim, premeditation is not aggravating. (People vs. Guillen, 85 Phil. 307)
(6) Cruelty, by deliberately and inhumanly augmenting the suffering of the victim, or outraging or scoffing at his person or corpse. Cruelty includes the situation where the victim is already dead and yet, acts were committed which would decry or scoff the corpse of the victim. The crime becomes murder. Hence, this is not actually limited to cruelty. It goes beyond that because even if the victim is already a corpse when the acts deliberately augmenting the wrong done to him were committed, the killing is still qualified to murder although the acts done no longer amount to cruelty. Under Article 14, the generic aggravating circumstance of cruelty requires that the victim be alive, when the cruel wounds were inflicted and, therefore, must be evidence to that effect. Yet, in murder, aside from cruelty, any act that would amount to scoffing or decrying the corpse of the victim will qualify the killing to murder. Illustration: Two people engaged in a quarrel and they hacked each other, one killing the other. Up to that point, the crime is homicide. However, if the killer tried to dismember the different
When killing was accomplished by means of fire alleged in the information, it does not qualify killing to Murder unless the use of fire was employed to kill the victim.
In People v. Pugay and Samson, 167 SCRA 439, there was a town fiesta and the two accused were at the town plaza with their companions. All were uproariously happy, apparently drenched with drink. Then, the group saw the victim, a 25 year old retard walking nearby and they made him dance by tickling his sides with a piece of wood. The victim and the accused Pugay were friends and, at times, slept in the same place together. Having gotten bored with their form of entertainment, accused Pugay went and got a can of gasoline and poured it all over the retard. Then, the accused Samson lit him up, making him a frenzied, shrieking human torch. The retard died.
(2)
(3
(4) (5)
1. Intent to kill is conclusively presumed when death resulted. Hence, evidence of intent to kill is required only in attempted or frustrated homicide 2. In all crimes against persons in which the death of the victim is an element, there must be satisfactory evidence of (1) the fact of death and (2) the identity of the victim
Distinction between homicide and physical injuries: In attempted or frustrated homicide, there is intent to kill. In physical injuries, there is none. However, if as a result of the physical injuries inflicted, the victim died, the crime will be homicide because the law punishes the result, and not the intent of the act. The following are holdings of the Supreme Court with respect to the crime of homicide:
(6)
(7)
is an element of the crime, there must be proof of the fact of death and identity of the victim. (Cortez vs. Court of
Appeals, 162 SCRA 139)
(2)
Article 250 PENALTY FOR FRUSTRATED PARRICIDE, MURDER OR HOMICIDE Article 251 DEATH IN AFFRAY
(3)
TUMULTOUS
(4)
ELEMENTS: 1. That there be several persons. 2. That they did not compose groups organized for the common purpose of assaulting and attacking each other reciprocally. 3. That these several persons quarreled and assaulted one another in a confused and tumultuous manner. 4. That someone was killed in the course of the affray. 5. That it cannot be ascertained who actually killed the deceased. 6. That the person or persons who inflicted serious physical injuries or who used violence can be identified. Notes: 1. Tumultuous affray exists when at least 4 persons take part in it 2. When there are 2 identified groups of men who assaulted each other, there is no tumultuous affray 3. Persons liable are: a. person/s who inflicted serious physical injuries b. if it is not known who inflicted serious physical injuries on the deceased, all persons who used violence upon the person of the victim If those who actually killed the victim can be determined, they will be the ones to be held liable, and those who inflicted serious
(5)
Note that while it is possible to have a crime of homicide through reckless imprudence, it is not possible to have a crime of frustrated homicide through reckless imprudence.
If a boxer killed his opponent in a boxing bout duly licensed by the Government without any violation of the governing rules and regulations, there is no Homicide to speak of. If he hit his opponent below the belt without any intention to do so, it is Homicide Through Reckless Imprudence if the latter died as a result. If he intentionally hit his opponent on that part of his body causing the death, the crime is Homicide. The shooting of a peace officer who was fully aware of the risks in pursuing the malefactors when done in a spur of the moment is only Homicide. (People vs. Porras, 255 SCRA 514).
the
Corpus delicti means body of the crime. It does not refer to the body of the murdered person. In all crimes against persons in which the death of the victim
The person killed in the affray need not be one of the participants.
As long as it cannot be determined who killed the victim, all of those persons who inflicted serious physical injuries will be collectively answerable for the death of that fellow. The Revised Penal Code sets priorities as to who may be liable for the death or physical injury in tumultuous affray: (1) (2) The persons who inflicted serious physical injury upon the victim; If they could not be known, then anyone who may have employed violence on that person will answer for his death. If nobody could still be traced to have employed violence upon the victim, nobody will answer. The crimes committed might be disturbance of public order, or if participants are armed, it could be tumultuous disturbance, or if property was destroyed, it could be malicious mischief.
(3)
Note that in slight physical injuries is inflicted in the tumultuous affray and the identity of the offender is established, the provisions of this article will not be observed. Instead, the offender shall be prosecuted in the ordinary course of law.
4. Penalty is mitigated if suicide is not successful Even if the suicide did not materialize, the person giving assistance to suicide is also liable but the penalty shall be one or two degrees lower depending on whether it is frustrated or attempted suicide.
The following are holdings of the Supreme Court with respect to this crime: (1) The crime is frustrated if the offender gives the assistance by doing the killing himself as firing upon the head of the victim but who did not die due to medical assistance. The person attempting to commit suicide is not liable if he survives. The accused is liable if he kills the victim, his sweetheart, because of a suicide pact.
(2)
2. A pregnant woman who tried to commit suicide by means of poison but instead of dying, the fetus in her womb was expelled, is not liable for abortion
3.
Assistance to suicide is different from mercy-killing. Euthanasia/mercy-killing is the practice of painlessly putting to death a person suffering from some incurable disease. In this case, the person does not want to die. A doctor who resorts to euthanasia may be held liable for murder
If the person does the killing himself, the penalty is similar to that of homicide, which is reclusion temporal. There can be no qualifying circumstance because the determination to die must come from the victim. This does not contemplate euthanasia or mercy killing where the crime is murder, if without consent; if with consent, covered by Article 253. In mercy killing, the victim is not in a position to commit suicide. Whoever would heed his advice is not really giving assistance to suicide but doing the killing himself. In giving
This crime cannot be committed through imprudence because it requires that the discharge must be directed at another.
1.
The offender must shoot at another with any firearm without intention of killing him. If the firearm is not discharged at a person, the act is not punished under this article
If the firearm is directed at a person and the trigger was pressed but did not fire, the crime is frustrated discharge of firearm. If the discharge is not directed at a person, the crime may constitute alarm and scandal.
3. That the accused killed the said child. Notes: 1. When the offender is the father, mother or legitimate ascendant, he shall suffer the penalty prescribed for parricide. If the offender is any other person, the penalty is that for murder. In either case, the proper qualification for the offense is infanticide Even if the killer is the mother or the father or the legitimate grandparents, the crime is still Infanticide and not Parricide. The penalty however, is that for Parricide.
Illustration: An unmarried woman, A, gave birth to a child, B. To conceal her dishonor, A conspired with C to dispose of the child. C agreed and killed the child B by burying the child somewhere. If the child was killed when the age of the child was three days old and above already, the crime of A is parricide. The fact that the killing was done to conceal her dishonor will not mitigate the criminal liability anymore because concealment of dishonor in killing the child is not mitigating in parricide. If the crime committed by A is parricide because the age of the child is three days old or above, the crime of the co-conspirator C is murder. It is not parricide because he is not related to the victim. If the child is less than three days old when killed, both the mother and the stranger commits infanticide because infanticide is not predicated on the relation of the offender to the offended party but on the age of the child. In such a case, concealment of dishonor as a motive for the mother to have the child killed is mitigating.
(2)
The gun used in the crime must be licensed, or the person using the firearm must be authorized to carry the same, otherwise, in addition to the crime punished under this article, accused may also be held liable for illegal possession of firearm under Republic Act No. 1866 as amended by Republic Act No. 8294.
2. When infanticide is committed by the mother or maternal grandmother in order to conceal the dishonor, such fact is only mitigating 3. The delinquent mother who claims that she committed the offense to conceal the dishonor must be of good reputation. Hence, if she is a prostitute, she is not entitled to a lesser penalty because she has no honor to conceal
3. That as a result of the use of violence or drugs or beverages upon her, or any other act of the accused, the fetus dies, either in the womb or after having been expelled therefrom. 4. That the abortion is intended. Ortega Notes:
Acts punished 1. 2. Using any violence upon the person of the pregnant woman; Acting, but without using violence, without the consent of the woman. (By administering drugs or beverages upon such pregnant woman without her consent.) Acting (by administering drugs or beverages), with the consent of the pregnant woman.
4. There is no infanticide when the child was born dead, or although born alive it could not sustain an independent life when it was killed In our study of persons and family relations, we have learned that birth determines personality. So fetus becomes a person by the legal fact of birth. The Civil Code provides that, if the fetus had an intra-uterine life of less than seven (7) months, it will be considered born only if it survives 24 hours after the umbilical cord is cut. If such fetus is killed within the 24-hour period, we have to determine if it would have survived or it would have died nonetheless, had it not been killed. A legal problem occurs when a fetus having an intra-uterine life of less than 7 months, born alive, is killed within 24 hours from the time the umbilical cord is cut. This is so because there is difficulty of determining whether the crime committed is infanticide or abortion. In such a situation, the court may avail of expert testimony in order to help it arrive at a conclusion. So, if it is shown that the infant cannot survive within 24 hours, the crime committed is abortion; otherwise if it can survive, the crime would be infanticide.
3.
Abortion is the violent expulsion of a fetus from the maternal womb. If the fetus has been delivered but it could not subsist by itself, it is still a fetus and not a person. Thus, if it is killed, the crime committed is abortion not infanticide. Distinction between infanticide and abortion It is infanticide if the victim is already a person less that three days old or 72 hours and is viable or capable of living separately from the mothers womb. It is abortion if the victim is not viable but remains to be a fetus. Abortion is not a crime against the woman but against the fetus. If mother as a consequence of abortion suffers death or physical injuries, you have a complex crime of murder or physical injuries and abortion. In intentional abortion, the offender must know of the pregnancy because the particular criminal intention is to cause an abortion. Therefore, the offender must have known of the pregnancy for otherwise, he would not try an abortion. If the woman turns out not to be pregnant and someone performs an abortion upon her, he is liable for an impossible crime if the woman suffers no physical injury. If she does, the crime will be homicide, serious physical injuries, etc. Under the Article 40 of the Civil Code, birth determines personality. A person is considered born at the time when the umbilical cord is cut. He then acquires a personality separate from the mother.
1. That there is a pregnant woman. 2. That violence is used upon such pregnant woman without intending an abortion. 3. That the violence is intentionally exerted. 4. That as a result of the violence that fetus dies, either in the womb or after having been expelled therefrom. Notes:
Unintentional abortion requires physical violence inflicted deliberately and voluntarily by a third person upon the person of the pregnant woman. Mere intimidation is not enough unless the degree of intimidation already approximates violence. If the pregnant woman aborted because of intimidation, the crime committed is not unintentional abortion because there is no violence; the crime committed is light threats. If the pregnant woman was killed by violence by her husband, the crime committed is the complex crime of parricide with unlawful abortion. While there is no intention on the part of the accused to cause an abortion, nonetheless, the violence that he employs on the pregnant woman must be intentional. In other words, only the abortion is unintended.
Take note that while unintentional abortion appears to be a crime that should be committed with deliberate intent because of the requirement that the violence employed on the victim must be intentional, nevertheless, if the circumstances of the case justifies the application of the other means of committing a felony (like culpa), then
- DEBATABLE
In US v. Jeffry, 15 Phil. 391, the Supreme Court said that knowledge of pregnancy of the offended party is not necessary. In People v. Carnaso, decided on April 7, 1964, however, the Supreme Court held that knowledge of pregnancy is required in unintentional abortion. Criticism: Under Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Revised Penal Code, any person committing a felony is criminally liable for all the direct, natural, and logical consequences of his felonious acts although it may be different from that which is intended. The act of employing violence or physical force upon the woman is already a felony. It is not material if offender knew about the woman being pregnant or not. If the act of violence is not felonious, that is, act of self-defense, and there is no knowledge of the womans pregnancy, there is no liability. If the act of violence is not felonious, but there is knowledge of the womans pregnancy, the offender is liable for unintentional abortion. Illustration: The act of pushing another causing her to fall is a felonious act and could result in physical injuries. Correspondingly, if not only physical injuries were sustained but abortion also resulted, the felonious act of pushing is the proximate cause of the unintentional abortion.
3. If there is no intention to cause abortion and neither was violence exerted, arts 256 and 257 does not apply
Questions & Answers 1. to commit window of passerby. followed. abortion? A pregnant woman decided suicide. She jumped out of a a building but she landed on a She did not die but an abortion Is she liable for unintentional
133 Elements and Notes in Criminal Law Book II by RENE CALLANTA Article 259 ABORTION PRACTICED BY A PHYSICIAN OR MIDWIFE AND DISPENSING OF ABORTIVES
ELEMENTS: 1. That there is a pregnant woman who has suffered an abortion. 2. That the abortion is intended. 3. That the offender, who must be a physician or midwife, causes or assists in causing the abortion. 4. That said physician or midwife takes advantage of his or her scientific knowledge or skill. Notes:
other practical or less harmful means of saving the life of the mother to make the killing justified.
OF
2. Inflicting upon the adversary serious physical injuries 3. Making a combat although no physical injuries have been inflicted Persons liable: 1. Principals person who killed or inflicted physical injuries upon his adversary, or both combatants in any other cases
1.
It is not necessary that the pharmacist knew that the abortive would be used to cause abortion. What is punished is the act of dispensing an abortive without the proper prescription. It is not necessary that the abortive be actually used 2. If the pharmacist knew that the abortive would be used to cause abortion and abortion results, he is liable as an accomplice
If the abortion is produced by a physician to save the life of the mother, there is no liability. This is known as a therapeutic abortion. But abortion without medical necessity to warrant it is punishable even with the consent of the woman or her husband. Illustration: A woman who is pregnant got sick. The doctor administered a medicine which resulted in Abortion. The crime committed was unintentional abortion through negligence or imprudence.
2. Accomplices as seconds
The person who killed or injured his adversary. If both survive, both will be liable for the crime of duel as principals by direct participation. The seconds will be held liable as accomplices. Notes: 1. Duel: a formal or regular combat previously concerted between 2 parties in the presence of 2 or more seconds of lawful age on each side, who make the selection of arms and fix all the other conditions of the fight
Question & Answer What is the liability of a physician who aborts the fetus to save the life of the mother? None. This is a case of therapeutic abortion which is done out of a state of necessity. Therefore, the requisites under Article 11, paragraph 4, of the Revised Penal Code must be present. There must be no
of the offended party, other than the essential organ for reproduction, to deprive him of that part of the body Elements: 1. There be a castration i.e. mutilation of organs necessary for generation 2. Mutilation is caused purposely and deliberately Notes:
Mutilation is the lopping or clipping off of some part of the body. The intent to deliberately cut off the particular part of the body that was removed from the offended party must be established. If there is no intent to deprive victim of particular part of body, the crime is only serious physical injury. The common mistake is to associate this with the reproductive organs only. Mutilation includes any part of the human body that is not susceptible to grow again. If what was cut off was a reproductive organ, the penalty is much higher than that for homicide. This cannot be committed through criminal negligence.
1. In the first kind of mutilation, the castration must be made purposely. Otherwise, it will be considered as mutilation of the second kind Mayhem: refers to any other intentional mutilation
2.
Article 263 SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES PHYSICAL INJURIES Article 262 MUTILATION
Kinds of Mutilation 1. Intentionally mutilating another by depriving him, totally or partially, of some essential organ for reproduction 2. Intentionally making another mutilation, i.e. lopping, clipping off any part of the body How Committed 1. Wounding 2. Beating 3. Assaulting 4. Administering injurious substances
In one case, the accused, while conversing with the offended party, drew the latters bolo from its scabbard. The offended party caught hold of the edge of the blade of his bolo and wounded himself. It was held that since the accused did not wound, beat or assault the
What are serious physical injuries: 1. Injured person becomes imbecile, impotent or blind 2. Injured person a. loses the use of speech or the power to hear or to smell, loses an eye, a hand, foot, arm or leg b. loses the use of any such member c. becomes incapacitated for the work in which he had been habitually engaged 3. Injured person a. becomes deformed b. loses any other member of his body c. loses the use thereof d. becomes ill or incapacitated for the performance of the work in which he had been habitually engaged in for more than 90 days 4. Injured person becomes ill or incapacitated for labor for more than 30 days (but not more than 90 days) Notes:
The crime of physical injuries is a crime of result because under our laws the crime of physical injuries is based on the gravity of the injury sustained. So this crime is always consummated. The reason why there is no attempted or frustrated physical injuries is because the crime of physical injuries is determined on the gravity of the injury. As long as the injury is not there, there can be no attempted or frustrated stage thereof.
insane,
Blindness requires lost of vision in both eyes. Mere weakness in vision is not contemplated
4.
Loss of power to hear must involve both ears. Otherwise, it will be considered as serious physical injuries under par 3
5.
7. Par 2 refers to principal members of the body. Par 3 on the other hand, covers any other member which is not a principal part of the body. In this respect, a front tooth is considered as a member of the body, other than a principal member Deformity: means physical ugliness, permanent and definite abnormality. Not curable by natural means or by nature. It must be conspicuous and visible. Thus, if the scar is usually covered by a dress, it would not be conspicuous and visible
8.
9. The loss of 3 incisors is a visible deformity. Loss of one incisor is not. However, loss of one tooth which impaired appearance is a deformity 10. Deformity by loss of teeth refers to injury which cannot be impaired by the action of the nature 11. Loss of both outer ears constitutes deformity and also loss of the power to hear. Meanwhile, loss of the lobule of the ear is only a deformity 12. Loss of the index and middle fingers is either a deformity or loss of a member, not a principal one of his body or use of the same
1. Serious physical injuries may be committed through reckless imprudence or simple imprudence
17. When the category of the offense of serious physical injuries depends on the period of the illness or incapacity for labor, there must be evidence of the length of that period. Otherwise, the offense will only be considered as slight physical injuries 18. There is no incapacity if the injured party could still engage in his work although less effectively than before Serious physical injuries is qualified when the crime is committed against the same persons enumerated in the article on parricide or when it is attended by any of the circumstances defining the crime of murder. However, serious physical injuries resulting from excessive chastisement by parents is not qualified serious physical injuries
19.
Ortega Notes:
Classification of physical injuries: (1) Between slight physical injuries and less serious physical injuries, you have a duration of one to nine days if
Illustration: Loss of molar tooth This is not deformity as it is not visible. Loss of permanent front tooth This is deformity as it is visible and permanent. Loss of milk front tooth This is not deformity as it is visible but will be naturally replaced. Question & Answer The offender threw acid on the face of the offended party. Were it not for timely medical attention, a deformity would have been produced on the face of the victim. After the plastic surgery, the offended party was more handsome than before the injury. What crime was committed? In what stage was it committed? The crime is serious physical injuries because the problem itself states that the injury would have produced a deformity. The fact that the plastic surgery removed the deformity is immaterial because in law what is considered is not the artificial treatment but the natural healing process. In a case decided by the Supreme Court, accused was charged with serious physical injuries because the injuries produced a scar. He was convicted under Article 263 (4). He appealed because, in the course of the trial, the scar disappeared. It was held that accused can not be convicted of serious physical injuries. He is liable only for slight physical injuries because the victim was not incapacitated, and there was no evidence that the medical treatment lasted for more than nine days. Serious physical injuries is punished with higher penalties in the following cases: (1) If it is committed against any of the persons referred to in the crime of parricide under Article 246; If any of the circumstances qualifying murder attended its commission.
(2)
Thus, a father who inflicts serious physical injuries upon his son will be liable for qualified serious physical injuries.
d. when the victim is a person of rank or person in authority, provided the crime is not direct assault 2. It falls under this article even if there was no incapacity but the medical treatment was for 13 days In this article, the offended party is incapacitated from work for ten (10) days or more but not more than thirty (30) days. If the injury causes the illness of the victim, the healing duration must be more than nine (9) days but not more than thirty (30) days.
Article 265 is an exception to Article 48 in relation to complex crimes as the latter only takes place in cases where the Revised Penal Code has no specific provision penalizing the same with a definite, specific penalty. Hence, there is no complex crime of slander by deed with less serious physical injuries but only less serious physical injuries if the act which was committed produced the less serious physical injuries with the manifest intent to insult or offend the offended party, or under circumstances adding ignominy to the offense.
It is frustrated murder when there is intent to kill Administering means introducing into the body the substance, thus throwing of the acid in the face is not contemplated
PHYSICAL
That the offended party is incapacitated for labor for 10 days or more (but not more than 30 days), or needs medical attendance for the same period of time That the physical injuries must not be those described in the preceding articles qualifying the
2.
a. when there is manifest intent to insult or offend the injured person b. when there are circumstances adding ignominy to the offense c. when the victim is either the offenders parents, ascendants, guardians, curators or teachers
Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), in relation to murder, mutilation or injuries to a child
The last paragraph of Article VI of Republic Act No. 7610, provides: For purposes of this Act, the penalty for the commission of acts punishable under Articles 248, 249, 262 (2) and 263 (1) of Act No 3815, as amended of the Revised Penal Code for the crimes of murder, homicide, other intentional mutilation, and serious physical injuries, respectively, shall be reclusion perpetua when the victim is under twelve years of age. The provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 modified the provisions of the Revised Penal Code in so far as the victim of the felonies referred to is under 12 years of age. The clear intention is to punish the said crimes with a higher penalty when the victim is a child of tender age. Incidentally, the reference to Article 249 of the Code which defines and penalizes the crime of homicide were the victim is under 12 years old is an error. Killing a child under 12 is murder, not homicide, because the victim is under no position to defend himself as held in the case of People v. Ganohon, 196 SCRA 431. For murder, the penalty provided by the Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659, is reclusion perpetua to death higher than what Republic Act no. 7610 provides. Accordingly, insofar as the crime is murder, Article 248 of the Code, as amended, shall govern even if the victim was under 12 years of age. It is only in respect of the crimes of intentional mutilation in paragraph 2 of Article 262 and of serious physical injuries in paragraph 1 of Article 263 of the Code that the quoted provision of Republic Act No. 7160 may be applied for the higher penalty when the victim is under 12 years old.
a. his penis into another persons mouth or anal orifice, or b. any instrument or object, into the genital or anal orifice of another person Rape committed under par 1 is punishable by: 1. reclusion perpetua 2. reclusion perpetua to DEATH when a. victim became insane by reason or on the occasion of rape
at the time of the commission of the crime Rape committed under par 2 is punishable by: 1. prision mayor 2. prision mayor to reclusion temporal a. use of deadly weapon or b. by two or more persons
3.
reclusion temporal when the victim has become insane reclusion temporal to reclusion pepetua rape is attempted and homicide is committed reclusion perpetua homicide is committed by reason or on occasion of rape reclusion temporal committed with any of the 10 aggravating circumstances mentioned above
4.
under the custody of the police or military authorities or any law enforcement or penal institution committed in full view of the spouse, parent or any of the children or other relatives within the 3rd degree of consanguinity victim is a religious engaged in legitimate religious vocation or calling and is personally known to be such by the offender before or at the time of the commission of the crime a child below 7 years old
5.
d.
6.
e.
Notes: 1. Dividing age in rape: a. less than 7 yrs old, mandatory death b. less than 12 yrs old, statutory rape c. less than 18 yrs old and there is relationship (e.g. parent etc); mandatory death Because of this amendment which reclassified rape as a crime against persons, an impossible crime may now be committed in case of rape; that is, if there is inherent impossibility of its accomplishment or on account of the employment of inadequate or ineffectual means. The case of People vs. Orita (G.R. No. 88724, April 3, 1990), laid a new doctrine in Philippine penal law insofar as the crime of rape is concerned, as it finally did away with frustrated rape and allowed only attempted rape and consummated rape to remain in our statute books. The act of touching should be understood as inherently part of the
f.
g.
offender knows he is afflicted with HIV or AIDS or any other sexually transmissible disease and the virus is transmitted to the victim h. offender; member of the AFP, or para-military units thereof, or the PNP, or any law enforcement agency or penal institution, when the offender took advantage of his position to facilitate the commission of the crime
i.
victim suffered permanent physical mutilation or disability the offender knew of the pregnancy of the offended party at the time of the commission of the crime; and
j.
k. when the offender knew of the mental disability, emotional disorder and/or physical handicap or the offended party
(2)
If the victim however is exactly twelve (12) years old (she was raped on her birthday) or more, and there is consent, there is no rape. However, Republic Act No. 7610, Sec. 5 (b) provides that: Even if the victim is over twelve (12) year old and the carnal act was with her consent as long as she falls under the classification of a child exploited in prostitution and other sexual abuse, the crime is rape.
In other cases, there must be force, intimidation, or violence proven to have been exerted to bring about carnal knowledge or the woman must have been deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious.
Since rape is not a private crime anymore, it can be prosecuted even if the woman does not file a complaint. If carnal knowledge was made possible because of fraudulent machinations and grave abuse of authority, the crime is rape. This absorbs the crime of qualified and simple seduction when no force or violence was used, but the offender abused his authority to rape the victim. Under Article 266-C, the offended woman may pardon the offender through a subsequent valid marriage, the effect of which would be the extinction of the offenders liability. Similarly, the legal husband may be pardoned by forgiveness of the wife provided that the marriage is not void ab initio. Obviously, under the new law, the husband may be liable for rape if his wife does not want to have sex with him. It is enough that there is indication of any amount of resistance as to make it rape. Incestuous rape was coined in Supreme Court decisions. It refers to rape committed by an ascendant of the offended woman. In such cases, the force and intimidation need not be of such nature as would be required in rape cases had the accused been a stranger. Conversely, the Supreme Court expected that if the offender is not known to the woman, it is necessary that there be evidence of affirmative resistance put up by
It is not necessary that the force or intimidation employed be so great or of such character as could not be resisted it is only necessary that it be sufficient to consummate the purpose which the accused had in mind. (People vs. Canada, 253 SCRA 277). Carnal knowledge with a woman who is asleep constitutes Rape since she was either deprived of reason or otherwise unconscious at that time. (People vs. Caballero, 61 Phil. 900). Sexual intercourse with an insane, deranged or mentally deficient, feeble-minded or idiotic woman is Rape pure and simple. The deprivation of reason contemplated by law need not be complete; mental abnormality or deficiency is sufficient.
Where the victim is over 12 years old, it must be shown that the carnal knowledge with her was obtained against her will. It is necessary that there be evidence of some resistance put up by the offended woman. It is not, however, necessary that the offended party should exert all her efforts to prevent the carnal intercourse. It is enough that from her
The new law, R.A. 8353, added new circumstance that is, when carnal knowledge was had by means of fraudulent machinations or grave abuse of authority. It would seem that if a woman of majority age had sexual intercourse with a man through the latters scheme of pretending to marry her which is the condition upon which the woman agreed to have sex with him, manipulating a sham marriage, the man would be guilty of Rape under this Section. So also, a prostitute who willingly had sexual congress with a man upon the latters assurance that she would be paid handsomely, may be guilty of Rape if later on he refuses to pay the said amount. A person in authority who maneuvered a scheme where a woman landed in jail, and who upon promise of being released after having sex with the officer, willingly consented to the sexual act, may also be found guilty of Rape under this new section. In Rape cases, court must always be guided by the following principles: 1. An accusation of rape can be made with facility; it is difficult to prove, but more difficult for the person accused, though innocent, to disprove; 2. In view of the intrinsic nature of the crime where only two persons are usually involved, the testimony of the complainant must be scrutinized with extreme caution; and
3. The evidence for the prosecution must stand or fall on its own merits, and cannot be allowed to draw strength from the weakness of the evidence for the defense. (People vs. Ricafort)