AUTHOR: ATTY. JOHN PHILIP C.

SIAO

Originally published in The Philippine Star (Point of Law column)

Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, otherwise known as the Bouncing Checks Law (BP 22), is the law that punishes
the making or the drawing of a check to apply on account or for value when the maker or drawer knew
at the time of issue that the account against which the check was drawn had no sufficient funds in, or
enough credit with, the drawee bank for the payment of such check or when the maker or drawer of the
check issues a stop payment order on such a check without any valid reason. In both cases, the check is
dishonored by reason of insufficient funds. It is also a violation of BP 22 when the maker or drawer of
such a check fails to maintain sufficient funds in, or enough credit with, the drawee bank to cover the
full amount of the check for a period of ninety (90) days from the date appearing on the check and the
check is dishonored for such reason. The penalty for violation of BP 22 is imprisonment for 30 days to
one year or a fine, or both (Section 1, BP 22).