Law Summary
Amendment on Treason (Article 114)
- Treason punishment amended to reclusion perpetua to death plus fine.
- Requires two witnesses or confession in court for conviction.
- Aliens committing treason punished by reclusion temporal to death plus fine.
Piracy and Mutiny (Articles 122, 123)
- Piracy and mutiny in Philippine waters punished by reclusion perpetua.
- Qualified piracy punished by reclusion perpetua to death under certain grave circumstances.
Qualified Bribery (New Article 211-A)
- Law enforcement officers refraining from arrest/prosecution for bribe punished with penalty of unprosecuted offense.
- Officers demanding bribe suffer death penalty.
Parricide (Article 246)
- Killing of ascendants or descendants punished by reclusion perpetua to death.
Murder (Article 248)
- Murder punished by reclusion perpetua; death penalty for qualified circumstances including treachery, premeditation, cruelty, use of means causing public destruction.
Infanticide (Article 255)
- Killing child less than three days punished like parricide or murder.
- Mitigated penalties when committed to conceal dishonor.
Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention (Article 267)
- Penalty of reclusion perpetua to death.
- Death penalty if for ransom or victim killed, raped, tortured.
- Certain aggravating circumstances specified (duration, minor victim, simulated authority).
Robbery with Violence or Intimidation (Article 294)
- Penalties range from prision correccional to death depending on severity.
- Death penalty when accompanied by homicide, rape, mutilation, or arson.
Destructive Arson (Article 320)
- Reclusion perpetua to death if burning certain buildings, transportation, utilities, or government properties.
- Death penalty if death results.
- Group commission or burning to conceal crime aggravated.
Rape (Article 335)
- Rape punished by reclusion perpetua; reclusion perpetua to death with deadly weapon or multiple offenders.
- Death penalty if victim suffers permanent insanity or mutilation or dies.
- Special aggravating circumstances regarding victim's age, relationship, custody, offender’s status.
Plunder (Amendment to RA 7080)
- Public officer amassing ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million punished by reclusion perpetua to death.
- Penalties extended to conspirators.
- Confiscation of ill-gotten wealth in favor of the State.
Dangerous Drugs Offenses (Amendments to RA 6425)
- Penalties of reclusion perpetua to death and fines of P500,000 to P10 million for importation, sale, manufacture, possession, and maintenance of dens for prohibited and regulated drugs.
- Maximum penalty applies if victim is minor or drug causes death.
- Specific penalties for government officials and for "planting" evidence.
- Certain drug quantities specified for penalties.
- Plea bargaining prohibited for crimes punishable by reclusion perpetua to death.
Carnapping (Amendment to RA 6539)
- Imprisonment penalties increase with use of violence or intimidation.
- Death penalty if owner, driver, or occupant is killed or raped.
Penalty Ranges Defined (Article 27 Revised Penal Code)
- Reclusion perpetua: 20 years and 1 day to 40 years.
- Reclusion temporal, prision mayor, prision correccional, arresto mayor and menor defined.
Restrictions and Procedures on Death Penalty (Article 47)
- Death penalty not imposed on minors, elderly over 70, or if Supreme Court denies majority vote.
- Automatic review by Supreme Court en banc required.
Mitigating and Aggravating Circumstances and Habitual Delinquency (Article 62)
- Public position taken as aggravating, organized crime involvement increases penalty.
- Habitual delinquency increases penalties with additional prison terms.
- Total penalty capped at 30 years.
Execution of Death Penalty (Article 81)
- Death by electrocution with anesthesia option.
- Order to mitigate suffering.
- Transition to gas poisoning method planned.
- Execution within one year of final judgment.
Suspension of Death Penalty Execution (Article 83)
- No death penalty on pregnant women or within one year after delivery.
- No death penalty for those over 70; commuted to reclusion perpetua.
- Records sent to President for possible pardon.
Repeals, Severability, and Effectivity
- Repeals inconsistent laws and rules.
- Severability clause for invalid provisions.
- Law effective 15 days after publication in newspapers.