SPECIAL PENAL LAWS Syllabus

I. Concept and Principles of Special Penal Laws

1) Mala in Se and Mala Prohibita

a. Art. 3, RPC

b. US vs. Go Chico, 14 Phil. 128 (1909)

c. Padilla vs. Dizon, 158 SCRA 127 (1988)

d. Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan, 369 SCRA 394 (2001)

e. [J. Mendoza’s concurring opinion]

f. Go vs. Sandiganbayan, GR 172602, Sep. 3, 2007

g. Teves vs. Comelec, GR 180363, Apr. 28, 2009

2) Relation of RPC to Special Penal Laws

a. Art. 10, RPC

b. Sanchez vs. People, GR 179090, Jun. 5, 2009

c. People vs. Saley, 291 SCRA 715 (1998)

d. People vs. Simon, 234 SCRA 555 (1994)

e. [J. Davide concurring and dissenting]

f. Ladonga vs. People, 451 SCRA 673 (2005)

g. People vs. Bustinera, 431 SCRA 284 (2004)

h. Go-Tan vs. Tan, 567 SCRA 231 (2008)

II. Special Penal Laws Affecting Criminal Liability

1) Act No. 3326

a) Periods of Prescription

i) Citibank vs. Tanco-Gabaldon, GR 198444, Sep. 4, 2013

b) Commencement of Period

i) People vs. Pangilinan, GR 152662, Jun. 13, 2012

2) RA 9262

a) Battered Woman Syndrome as Justifying Circumstance

i) People vs. Genosa, GR 135981, Jan. 15, 2004

3) RA 9344, as amended by RA 10630 and PD 603, as amended

a) Child at risk

b) Child in conflict with the law

c) Minimum age of criminal responsibility

i) Ortega vs. People, GR 151085,

d) Determination of age

e) Exemption from criminal liability

f) Acted with discernment

g) Rule on Commitment of Children (AM No. 02-1-19-SC)

h) Rule on Juveniles in Conflict with Law (AM No. 02-1—18-SC)

i) Intent and Discernment, difference

i) Guevarra vs. Almodovar, 169 SCRA 476 (1989)

ii) People vs. Doquena, 68 Phil 580 (1939)

iii) People vs. Arpon, 662 SCRA 506, GR 183563, Dec. 14, 2011

j) Discernment and Age of Criminal Responsibility

i) Madali vs. People, GR 180380, Aug. 4, 2009

k) Acted with Discernment and Burden of Proof

i) Jose vs. People, 448 SCRA 116 (2005)

ii) Llave vs. People, 488 SCRA 376 (2006)

4) PD 1866, as amended by RA 8294

a) Unlicensed firearm used in any crime

i) People vs. Ladjaalam, 340 SCRA 617 (2000)

b) Special aggravating circumstance in murder or homicide

i) People vs. Castillo, GR 131592-93, Feb. 15, 2000

ii) Sison vs. People, GR 187229, Feb. 22, 2012

c) If used in rebellion, sedition or attempted coup d’etat

5) RA 9165

a) As qualifying aggravating circumstance – Sec. 25

b) Attempt and conspiracy – Sec. 26

c) Immunity from prosecution and punishment – Sec. 33

d) First time offenders – Secs. 66-71

e) Offender: minor – People vs. Mantalaba, GR 186227, Jul. 20, 2011

f) Delay and bungling in the prosecution of drugs cases – Sec. 92

g) Limited applicability of RPC – Sec. 98

i) People vs. Cabugatan, GR 172019, Feb. 12, 2007

6) Some Significant Immunity Statutes:

a) PD 749 – Bribe givers and their accomplices

b) PD 1731 – Rewards and incentives to witnesses and informants

c) PD 1732 – Immunity to government witnesses

d) 1987 Constitution, Art. XIII, Sec. 18(8) – Power of Commission on Human

Rights to grant immunity

e) RA 6646, Sec. 26 – Additional Reforms in the Electoral System

f) RA 6770, Sec. 17 – Ombudsman Act of 1989

i) Quarto vs. Marcelo, GR 169042, Oct. 5, 2011

ii) People vs. Sandiganbayan, GR 185729-32, Jun. 26, 2013

iii) Mapa, Jr. vs. Sandiganbayan, GR 100295, Apr. 26, 1994

g) RA 6981 – Witness protection

i) Ampatuan vs. De Lima, GR 197291, Apr. 3, 2013

h) RA 9165 – Secs. 33 and 34

i) RA 9485, Sec. 15 – Anti-Red Tape Act

III. Special Penal Laws Affecting Penalties and Service Thereof

1) RA 9346 – Act Prohibiting the Imposition of the Death Penalty

a. People vs. Bon, 506 SCRA 168 (2006) – RA 9346 and Art. 71, RPC

harmonized

2) RA 4103 – Indeterminate Sentence Law

a. Batistis vs. People, GR 181571, Dec. 16, 2009

3) PD 968 – Probation Law

a. Llamado vs. CA, 174 SCRA 566 (1989)

b. Salgado vs. CA, 189 SCRA 304 (1990)

c. Francisco vs. CA, 243 SCRA 384 (1995)

d. Colinares vs. People, 662 SCRA 266 (2011)

e. Bala vs. Martinez, 181 SCRA 459 (1990)

f. Exception to Termination – Sec. 24, RA 9165

4) RA 9344 – Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006

a. PD 603 – Child and Youth Welfare Code

b. Sierra vs. People, GR 182941, Jul. 3, 2009

c. People vs. Sarcia, GR 169641, Sep. 10, 2009

d. People vs. Jacinto, GR 182239, Mar. 16, 2011

5) RA 9372 – Human Security Act of 2007

IV. Crimes Against National Security

1) CA 616 – Act to Punish Espionage and Offenses Against National

Security

a. Distinguish from Treason (Art. 114)

b. Distinguish from Espionage (Art. 117)

2) PD 532 – Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway Robbery

a. People vs. Catantan, GR 118075, Sep. 5, 1997

b. People vs. Tulin, GR 111709, Aug. 30, 2001

3) RA 6235 – Acts Inimical to Civil Aviation

4) PD 6235 – Anti-Hijacking Law

5) RA 9372 – Human Security Act of 2007

6) RA 11479 - Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

7) Marawi Seige of 2017

Lagman, et al vs. Medialdea, et al, GR 231658, July 4, 2017; Cullamat,

et al vs. President Duterte, et al, GR 231771, July 4, 2017; Mohamad,

et al vs. Medialdea, et al, GR 231774, July 4, 2017

V. Crimes Against Fundamental Laws of the State

1) RA 7438 – Rights of Arrested Persons and Persons Under Custodial

Investigation

a. People vs. Olivarez, Jr., GR 77865, Dec. 04, 1998

2) RA 9851 – International Humanitarian Law

3) RA 9372 – Human Security Act of 2007

4) RA 11479 - Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

5) RA 9745 – Anti-Torture Act of 2009

6) RA 9208 – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003

a. People vs. Hadja Jarma Lalli, GR 195419, Oct. 12, 2011

7) RA 6955 – Anti-Mail Order Bride Law

8) RA 9995 – Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009

9) RA 10173 – Data Privacy Act of 2012

VI. Crimes Against Public Order

1) RA 10591

a. People vs. Gaborney, GR 210710, Jul. 27, 2016

2) RA 9372

a. Southern Hemisphere Engagement Network, Inc. vs. Anti-Terrorism

Council, GR 178552, Oct. 5, 2010

VII. Crimes Against Public Interest

1) PD 247 – Defacement, Mutilation, Tearing, Burning or Destroying Central

Bank Notes and Coins

2) RA 8293 – Intellectual Property Code

a. Skechers vs. Inter Pacific Industrial Trading Corp., GR 164321, Mar.

23, 2011

b. Diaz vs. People and Levi Strauss Phil., Inc., GR 180677, Feb. 18, 2013

c. Republic Gas vs. Petron, GR 194602, Jun. 17, 2013

3) RA 9184 – New Public Building Law

a. Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-

PS) vs. Kolonwel Trading, GR 175616, GR 175608, Jun. 8, 2007

4) RA 7581, as amended by RA 10623 – Price Act

5) CA 142 – Anti-Alias Law

a. Legamia vs. IAC, 131 SCRA 478

b. People vs. Estrada, GR 164368-69, Apr. 2, 2009 (Jose Velarde)

6) RA 9160 – Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001

a. Republic of the Phil. vs. Cabrini Green & Ross, Inc., GR 154522, May 5,

2006

b. Republic of the Phil. vs. Glasgow Credit & Collections Services, Inc., GR

170281, Jan. 18, 2008

7) RA 8484 – Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998

a. Soledad vs. People, GR 184274, Feb. 23, 2011

8) RA 10088 – Anti-Camcording Act of 2010

9) RA 8042, as amended by RA 10022 – Illegal Recruitment

a. Sto. Tomas vs. Salac, GR 152642, Nov. 13, 2012

b. People vs. Hadja Jarma Lalli, GR 195419, Oct. 12, 2011

10) RA 10175 – Cybercrime Law

a. Disini, Jr. vs. The Secretary of Justice, GR 203335, Feb. 18, 2014

11) RA 10586 – Driving Under the Influence Law

VIII. Crimes Relative to Opium and Other Prohibited Drugs

1) RA 9165

a. People vs. Partoza, GR 182418, May 8, 2009

b. People vs. Padua, GR 174097, Jul. 21, 2010

c. People vs. Habana, GR 188900, Mar. 5, 2010

d. People vs. Santiago, GR 191061, Feb. 9, 2011

e. People vs. Watamama, GR 194945, Jul. 30, 2012

f. PDEA vs. Brodett and Joseph, GR 196390, Sep. 28, 2011

g. Estipona, Jr. vs. Lobrigo and People, GR 226679, Aug. 15, 2017

h. People vs. Sayson, GR 238116, Nov. 27, 2019

i. People vs. Lim, GR 231989, Sep. 4, 2018

j. Sayre vs. People, GR 2444413, 244415-16, Feb. 18, 2020

IX. Crimes Committed by Public Officers or Related to Public Office

1) RA 3019 – Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act

a. Morfe vs. Mutuc, 22 SCRA 424

b. Jaravata vs. Sandiganbayan, 127 SCRA 363

c. Mejorda vs. Sandiganbayan, 151 SCRA 399

d. Fonacier vs. Sandiganbayan, GR L-50691, Dec. 5, 1994

e. Mendoza-Arce vs. Ombudsman, GR 149148, Apr. 5, 2002

f. Trieste vs. Sandiganbayan, 145 SCRA 508

g. Alvarez vs. People, GR 192591, Jul. 30, 2012

h. Go vs. Sandiganbayan, GR 172602, Sep. 3, 2007

2) RA 6713 – Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials

and Employees

a. Samson vs. Restrivera, GR 178454, Mar. 28, 2011

b. Ombudsman vs. Madriaga, GR 164316, Sep. 27, 2006

c. Rabe vs. Flores, AM No. P-97-1247, May 14, 1997

3) PD 46 – Anti-Gift Giving

4) RA 7080 – Anti-Plunder Act

a. Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan, GR 148560, Nov. 19, 2001

b. People vs. Macapagal-Arroyo, SB-12-CRM-0174 (Sandiganbayan Case)

5) RA 1379 – Sequestration Law

a. Cabal vs. Kapunan, GR L-19052, Dec. 29, 1962

b. Garcia vs. Sandiganbayan, GR 170122, Oct. 12, 2009

c. Republic vs. Sandiganbayan and Asistio, GR 90529, Aug. 16, 1991

d. Republic vs. Sandiganbayan and Marcos, GR 152154, Nov. 18, 2003

e. Bugarin vs. Republic, GR 174431, Aug. 6, 2012

6) RA 9372 – Human Security Act of 2007

7) RA 9485 – Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007

8) RA 11479 - Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

Sec. 15

X. Crimes Against Persons

1) RA 9262 – VAWC

2) RA 9775 – Anti-Child Pornography

3) RA 8049 – Anti-Hazing

a. Villareal vs. People, GR 151258, Feb. 1, 2012

4) RA 7610 – Anti-Child Abuse Law

a. Malto vs. People, 533 SCRA 643 (2007)

b. People vs. Matias, GR 186469, Jun. 13, 2012

c. Flordeliz vs. People, 614 SCRA 225 (2010)

5) RA 9344 – Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act

6) PD 603 – Child and Youth Welfare Code

7) RA 10353 – Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act

a. Enforced Disappearance

b. Order of Battle

XI. Crimes Against Personal Liberty and Security

1) RA 4200 – Anti-Wire Tapping Act

a. Ganaan vs. IAC, 145 SCRA 112

b. Ramirez vs. CA, 248 SCRA 590

2) RA 9372 – Human Security Act

a. Surveillance, Interception and Recording

b. Restriction on Travel

c. Examination of Bank Deposits and Documents

d. Unauthorized Revelation of Classified Materials

3) RA 9208 – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act

a. People vs. Hadja Jarma Lalli, GR 195419, Oct. 12, 2011

4) RA 11479 - Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

XII. Crimes Against Property

1) PD 533 – Anti-Cattle Rustling Law

a. People vs. Escarda, GR 120548, Oct. 26, 2001

b. People vs. Martinada, GR 66401-03, Feb. 13, 1991

2) RA 7832 – Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials

Pilferage Act

a. Illegal Use of Electricity

b. Theft of Electric Power

c. Prima Facie Evidence

d. Disconnection

i. Meralco vs. Vda. De Santiago, GR 170482, Sep. 4, 2009

e. Inspection Procedure

i. Go vs. Leyte Electric Cooperative, GR 176909, Feb. 18, 2008

f. Due Process Before Disconnection

i. Meralco vs. Castillo, GR 182976, Jan. 14, 2013

3) PD 1612 – Anti-Fencing Law

a. Definition

b. Presumption

c. Exception

i. Tan vs. People, GR 134298, Aug. 26, 1999

d. Fencing of Carnapped Vehicle

i. Dimat vs. People, GR 181184, Jan. 25, 2012

4) BP 22 – Bouncing Checks Law and Administrative Circular No. 12-

2000

a. Administrative Circular 13-2001 re Penalty

b. Punishable Acts

c. Evidence of Knowledge of Insufficient Funds

d. Preference of Imposition of Fine

e. Gravamen and Elements

i. Lim vs. People, 340 SCRA 497 (2000)

f. BP 22 vs. Estafa

i. Nierras vs. Dacuycuy, 181 SCRA 1

g. Two Ways of Violating BP 22

i. Wong vs. CA, GR 117857, Feb. 2, 2001

h. Transitory Offense

i. People vs. Gorospe, 157 SCRA 154

i. Reason for Issuance Irrelevant to Liability

i. Llamado vs. CA, 270 SCRA 423

ii. Que vs. People, 154 SCRA 160

j. Notice of Dishonor

i. Cabrera vs. CA, GR 150618, Jul. 24, 2003

ii. Svendsen vs. People, GR 175381, Feb. 26, 2008

k. Warranty Deposit

i. Magno vs. CA, GR 96132, Jun. 26, 1992

l. Memorandum Check

i. People vs. Nitafan, 214 SCRA 79

m. Not to Decriminalize nor Delete Penalty of Imprisonment

i. Tan vs. Mendez, Jr., GR 138669, Jun. 6, 2002

ii. Lim Lao vs. CA, 274 SCRA 572

iii. Idos vs. CA, 296 SCRA 194

iv. Sycip vs. CA, 328 SCRA 447

v. Bautista vs. CA, 360 SCRA 618

5) PD 115 – Trust Receipt Law

a. Lee vs. Rodil, 175 SCRA 100

b. Allied Banking Corp. vs. Ordonez, 192 SCRA 246

c. Yang vs. People, GR 195117, Aug. 14, 2013

6) PD 1689 – Syndicated Estafa

a. Commercial Bank Covered

i. Guy vs. CA, GR 187919, Apr. 25, 2012

b. Syndicate

i. Catiis vs. CA, GR 153979, Feb. 6, 2006

7) RA 6539 – Anti-Carnapping Act

a. People vs. Bustinera, 431 SCRA 284 (2004)

b. Qualified Carnapping

i. People vs. Lagat, GR 187044, Sep. 14, 2011

ii. People vs. Nocum, GR 179041, Apr. 1, 2013

c. Boundary System – People vs. Bustinera, GR 148233, Jun. 8, 2004

d. Fencing

i. Dimat vs. People, GR 181184, Jan. 25, 2012

8) RA 9372 – Human Security Act

a. Southern Hemisphere Engagement Network, Inc. vs. Anti-Terrorism

Council, GR 178552, Oct. 5, 2010

9) PD 1613 – Anti-Arson Law

a. People vs. Acosta, 326 SCRA 49

b. Simple Arson vs. Destructive Arson

i. People vs. Soriano, GR 152565, Jul. 29, 2003

ii. People vs. Macabando, GR 188708, Jul. 31, 2013

c. Inhabited House

i. Buebos vs. People, GR 163938, Mar. 28, 2008

d. Burning of Own Property

e. Conspiracy

f. Murder or Arson

i. People vs. Baluntong, GR 182061, Mar. 15, 2010

g. Prima Facie Evidence of Destructive Arson

i. Amora vs. People, GR 154466, Jan. 28, 2008

h. Intent to Kill or Conceal

i. People vs. Cedenio, GR 93485, Jun. 27, 1994

XIII. Crimes Against Chastity

1) RA 7610, as amended by RA 9231 – Child Abuse Law

a. Punishable Acts

b. When Rape

i. People vs. Dahilig, GR 187083, Jun. 13, 2011

c. Child Prostitution

i. Garingarao vs People, GR 192760, Jul. 20, 2011

d. Persuasion, Inducement, Enticement or Coercion

i. People vs. Olayon, GR 171863, Aug. 20, 2008

e. Due to the Coercion or Influence of an Adult

i. Caballo vs. People, GR 198732, Jun. 10, 2013

2) RA 9208 – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act

3) RA 9262 – VAWC

a. Punishable Acts
b. Dating Relationship vs. Sexual Relationship

i. Ang vs. CA & Sagud, GR 182835, Apr. 20, 2010

4) RA 7877 – Anti-Sexual Harassment Act

a. Punishable Acts

b. Work-Related or Employment Environment

i. Domingo vs. Rayala, GR 155831, Feb. 18, 2008

ii. Philippine Aelous Automotive United Corporation vs.

NLRC, 387 Phil. 250 (2000)

iii. Jacutin vs. People, GR 140604, Mar. 6, 2002