Law Summary
Prohibited Acts and Corresponding Penalties
- Prohibits tampering with or knowingly using tampered water, gas, or electric meters or related devices to steal utilities.
- Criminalizes theft of water, gas, electric meters, or utility infrastructure including wires, pipes, conduits, and poles.
- Possession of stolen utility meters or equipment is punishable.
- Penalties include imprisonment (prision correccional in its minimum period), fines between 2,000 to 6,000 pesos, or both.
- These penalties are without prejudice to other applicable laws such as Presidential Decree No. 1612.
Liability and Additional Punishment for Utility Employees
- If the offense involves connivance or permission of a utility employee or officer, they are subject to imprisonment (prision correccional).
- Convicted employees or officers face perpetual disqualification from employment in any public or private utility or service company.
Repeal of Inconsistent Laws
- All laws, orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with the Act are repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The law took effect immediately upon approval on June 12, 1985.