Sotto bill makes kin criminally liable for crimes against property

Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Family and relatives will no longer be exempt from criminal liability in crimes against property if a measure filed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III would be approved.

“The family situations and relationships before WW II are now very different from our times!” Sotto said in a text message on Thursday when sought about Senate Bill No. 2210 he filed early this week.

Section 332 of the Revised Penal Code states: “No criminal, but only civil liability, shall result from the commission of the crime of theft, swindling or malicious mischief committed or caused mutually” by spouses, other family members, and relatives listed in the law.

Sotto’s bill sought to remove such exemption.

“The importance of family and its values remain to be steadfast, however, we cannot ignore the sad reality that crimes still happen amongst the closest of kin,” Sotto said in his explanatory note in the bill.

“As much as we aim to preserve the harmony and peace within the family, we cannot continue to burden further the victims of crimes by exempting their kin from their criminal liability,” he added.

The Senate leader then sought the immediate passage of his bill.

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/MUF