Senate ratifies amendment on higher penalties for perjury

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has ratified an amendment that seeks to impose higher penalties for perjury to stop people from committing the crime.

Senators approved the bicameral conference committee report on the conflicting provisions of Senate Bill 1354 and House Bill 8268, which seek to increase the penalties for perjury and amend Articles 183 and 184 of Republic Act 3815 or the Revised Penal Code.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate committee on justice and human rights and primary author and sponsor of Senate Bill 1354, said the higher penalties would deter people from committing perjury.

“The penalties we proposed are already sufficient to ensure that the intention of our bill is achieved. With the higher penalties, the crime would no longer be covered by the Probation Law,” Gordon said.

“We also made sure that we do not give a harsher penalty outside of the court so we won’t end up imposing harsher penalties outside of judicial proceedings.”

Under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, the current minimum penalty for the crime of perjury is from four months and one day to six months in prison. Maximum penalty starts from six months and one to two years and four months in prison.

Under the proposed measure, perjury will now be punishable with a minimum of six years and one day to eight years in prison and a maximum of eight years and one day to 10 years.

The measure also seeks to impose a fine not exceeding P1 million if the person responsible for the commission of the felony is a public officer or employee, and perpetual absolute disqualification from any appointive or elective position.