Law Summary
Acting as an Agent of a Foreign Government Without Registration
- Prohibits acting as an agent of a foreign government in the Philippines, excluding diplomatic or consular officers or attaches, without prior notification and registration with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
- Penalties include fines up to five thousand pesos, imprisonment up to five years, or both.
- Other legal penalties may apply.
Unauthorized Wearing of Foreign Official Uniforms or Decorations
- Prohibits wearing naval, military, police, or official uniforms or decorations of a foreign state with which the Philippines is at peace, or similar items that may deceive.
- Requires authorization from the foreign state for lawful wearing.
- Violations are punishable by fines up to two hundred pesos, imprisonment up to six months, or both.
Invalidity of Legal Process Against Certain Foreign Diplomats and Servants
- Declares void any writ, process, or legal action that results in the arrest, imprisonment, or seizure of goods from an accredited foreign ambassador, public minister, or their servants.
- Persons obtaining or executing such processes can be imprisoned up to three years and fined up to two hundred pesos.
Exceptions to Immunity from Process
- Immunity does not apply when the person is a Philippine citizen or inhabitant serving an ambassador, and the legal process concerns debts contracted before employment.
- Domestic servants must be registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and recorded with local authorities to be exempted from immunity.
- Public accessibility to the registered list of servants is mandated.
Protection Against Violence Towards Diplomats
- Penalizes assault, wounding, imprisonment, or other violence against ambassadors or public ministers.
- Penalties include imprisonment up to three years and/or fines up to two hundred pesos.
- Additional penalties under the Revised Penal Code may apply.
Reciprocity Clause
- The provisions apply only if the foreign country provides similar protection and penalties for valid Philippine diplomatic or consular agents.
Effectivity of the Act
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.