House bill scraps ‘vague’ crime of unjust vexation

If Muntinlupa City Rep. Jaime Fresnedi’s House Bill No. 10510 becomes law, unjust vexation charges filed against persons will immediately be dropped, and those convicted for the offense will be promptly released.

The bill has been referred to the House committee on revision of laws. Fresnedi said that, unlike other crimes, the definition of unjust vexation was up to the complainant, with some cases resulting in a conviction, calling it a “catch-all crime.”

“Our Constitution specifically forbids ex post facto laws. By criminalizing an act which is not defined as a crime at the time of commission, our courts effectively retroactively criminalize that act in violation of our Constitution,” he added.

READ: EXPLAINER: What is unjust vexation?

HB 10510 seeks to amend Section 1 Article 287 of the Revised Penal Code, removing the provision stating the penalty for coercions or unjust vexations. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE