Stiffer fines, penalties under Revised Penal Code

President Duterte has signed the law that increases the outdated amounts in the Revised Penal Code on which fines and penalties are based, thus ensuring more proportional punishment for those who break the law.

The new law, Republic Act 10951, imposes fines and penalties ranging from P1,000 to P4 million for various offenses.

The fines under the old Revised Penal Code, including amendments, ranged from P5 to P100,000.

RA 10951 imposes a maximum P4-million fine for treason, along with reclusion perpetua. The maximum fine imposed under the Revised Penal Code was P100,000.

Fines not exceeding P1 million or P2 million, along with jail terms, would also be meted out on those guilty of sedition and conspiracy or proposal to commit treason.

On the other hand, other coercions or unjust vexations is punishable by aresto menor, or a fine ranging from P1,000 to P40,000. Under the old law, the penalty for the crime is a fine ranging from P5 to P200.

The new law also imposes a maximum fine of P40,000 for light felonies, along with a jail term of up to 30 days. The previous fine was a maximum of P200.

It likewise adjusts the basis of prison terms for those who commit malversation of public funds.

The lightest jail terms would be imposed on those who misappropriated an amount not exceeding P40,000, while the harshest terms would be meted out on those who misappropriated more than P8.8 million.

Under the old Revised Penal Code, the jail terms for malversation of public funds were based on the misappropriation of amounts ranging from P200 to P22,000.