Duterte signs law increasing penalties for perjury

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed into law a measure imposing stiffer penalties for perjury or lying under oath.

Republic Act No. 11594, which amended Articles 183 and 184 of the Revised Penal Code, was signed into law last Oct. 29.

The new law imposes the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period (six years and one day to eight years) to its medium period (eight years and one day to 10 years) on any person who knowingly makes untruthful statements under oath or makes an affidavit on any material matter before a competent person authorized to administer an oath.

If the person who committed perjury is a public officer or employee, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period and the offender shall be slapped with a fine of up to P1 million. The offender will also be disqualified from holding any appointive or elective government post.

The new law also states that any person who willfully and knowingly offers in evidence a false witness or testimony in any judicial or official proceeding shall be punished as guilty of false testimony.

Previously, the penalty for perjury was arresto mayor in its maximum period (four months and one day to six months) to prision correccional in its minimum period (six months and one day to two years and four months).

Senate justice and human rights committee chairman Sen. Richard Gordon recently said the stiffer penalties would be sufficient to prevent the commission of perjury and create a “culture of truth telling.”