QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11594)
RA 11594 (Republic Act No. 11594), titled “An Act Increasing the Penalties for Perjury, Amending for the Purpose Articles 183 and 184 of Act No. 3815, as Amended, Otherwise Known as ‘The Revised Penal Code,’” primarily increases penalties for perjury by amending Articles 183 and 184 of the Revised Penal Code.
RA 11594 amended Article 183 (False testimony in other cases and perjury in solemn affirmation) and Article 184 (Offering false testimony in evidence) of the Revised Penal Code.
Generally: (1) the offender knowingly makes untruthful statements; (2) the case is not covered by the preceding articles; (3) the offender testifies under oath or makes an affidavit; and (4) the testimony/affidavit is on any material matter before a competent person authorized to administer an oath in cases where the law requires it.
The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period is imposed.
It provides that any person who, in case of a solemn affirmation made in lieu of an oath, commits any of the falsehoods mentioned in Article 183 and the three preceding articles shall suffer the respective penalties provided therein.
If the person responsible is a public officer or employee, the penalty is imposed in its maximum period.
The offender shall also suffer a fine not to exceed P1,000,000.00 and perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in the government or in any agency, entity, or instrumentality thereof.
It refers to matters that are relevant and could affect the outcome or determination of the proceeding—i.e., falsehoods that have a legitimate bearing on the issue in question.
It refers to making false statements under a formal solemn affirmation replacing an oath. Article 183 (as amended) expressly covers falsehoods committed in such solemn affirmation made in lieu of an oath.
Any person who willfully and knowingly offers in evidence a false witness or false testimony in any judicial or official proceeding shall be punished as guilty of false testimony and suffer the respective penalties provided in Article 184/Article 183’s framework.
The offender must willfully and knowingly offer a false witness or false testimony in evidence.
Article 183 focuses on the person who personally testifies/executes an affidavit under oath/affirmation with untruthful statements; Article 184 focuses on the person who offers in evidence a false witness/testimony in a judicial or official proceeding.
RA 11594 specifically amends Articles 183 and 184 of the Revised Penal Code; it increases penalties for the perjury/false testimony categories covered by those provisions.
Under Section 3 (separability clause), if any provision is declared unconstitutional, it does not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions.
It repeals or amends all laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of RA 11594.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
The provided text shows it was approved on OCT 29 2021 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, with legislative signatures from the House Speaker and Senate President earlier, and publication/official documentation referenced in the opening line.