Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 401)
The main objective is to penalize the unauthorized installation of water, electrical, or telephone connections, the use of tampered meters, and other related acts to promote discipline and order as part of the New Society under Proclamation No. 1081.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Manila Electric Company, and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.
Unauthorized installation of water, electrical or telephone connections; tampering with or using tampered water or electrical meters or jumpers to steal services; stealing or pilfering water and electrical meters or wires; and knowingly possessing stolen or pilfered meters or wires.
Upon conviction, the offender shall be punished by prision correccional in its minimum period, or a fine ranging from two thousand to six thousand pesos, or both.
The employee or officer shall be punished by a penalty one degree lower than prision correccional in its minimum period, be dismissed, and be perpetually disqualified from employment in any public or private utility or service company.
Yes, authorization must come from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Manila Electric Company, or the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, as applicable.
Meters that have been altered, manipulated, or used with jumpers or other devices that enable the stealing or unauthorized use of water or electricity.
Yes, knowingly possessing stolen or pilfered water and/or electrical meters as well as stolen or pilfered water, electrical, and/or telephone wires is penalized upon conviction.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos promulgated it by virtue of the powers vested in him by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 and General Order No. 1.
The fines range from two thousand to six thousand pesos.