Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 292)
Treason is committed by any person residing in the Philippine Islands who owes allegiance to the United States or the Government of the Philippine Islands and who levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the Philippine Islands or elsewhere.
Upon conviction, a person guilty of treason shall suffer death or imprisonment at hard labor for not less than five years and be fined not less than ten thousand dollars, at the discretion of the court.
Misprison of treason is committed by any person who, having knowledge of any treason against the United States or the Government of the Philippine Islands, conceals it and does not disclose it as soon as possible to the appropriate authorities.
A person convicted of misprison of treason shall be imprisoned for not more than seven years and be fined not more than one thousand dollars.
Rebellion or insurrection is defined as any incitement, assistance, or engagement in a rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the Government of the Philippine Islands, or laws thereof, or giving aid or comfort to those engaging in such acts.
Conviction for rebellion or insurrection results in imprisonment for not more than ten years and a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
Sedition includes rising publicly and tumultuously to prevent the promulgation or execution of any law, preventing government officials from performing duties, inflicting acts of hate or revenge with political or social objectives on officials or individuals, or despoiling any government or its property.
A person guilty of sedition may be fined up to five thousand dollars and/or imprisoned for up to ten years. Those conspiring to commit sedition may be fined up to one thousand dollars and/or imprisoned for up to five years.
Such offense is punishable by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Forming or being a member of any secret society with the objective of promoting treason, rebellion, sedition, or certain political opinions is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.
No. Until officially proclaimed that a state of war or insurrection no longer exists, it is unlawful to advocate independence or separation by any means, peaceable or forcible, including printing or circulating related materials. Violators may be fined up to two thousand dollars and imprisoned for up to one year.
Administering, consenting to administering, inducing, or taking any oath to commit a crime punishable by death or imprisonment of five years or more is punishable by a fine up to two thousand dollars or imprisonment up to ten years.
Such person is not excused unless he declares the compulsion and information related to the oath within fourteen days after the offense or within eight days after cessation of hindrance, or upon trial before a justice of peace, judge, or provincial fiscal.
The provinces of Batangas, Cebu, and Bohol, and any province without civil government so long as insurrection exists, unless authorized by the Commanding General of the U.S. Army to prosecute in civil courts.
Yes, foreigners residing in the Philippine Islands who commit any crimes under this Act, except treason and misprision of treason, are punished the same as residents.