2016 Pre-Week Notes On CRIMINAL LAW 1
2016 Pre-Week Notes On CRIMINAL LAW 1
2016 Pre-Week Notes On CRIMINAL LAW 1
Ex post facto law, it is a penal law which is given retroactive application to the prejudice of the accused. If
it is favorable to the accused, it is not ex post facto.
A law is ex post facto when it makes an act or omission criminal when committed was not yet so.
Bill of attainder, is a legislative act which inflicts punishment without judicial trial. It is an encroachment
of judicial function by the legislative.
1. Generality penal laws are binding on all persons (it include aliens) who reside or sojourn in the Philippines
whether citizens or not.
Exception: Those covered by treaties and laws of preferential application such as ambassadors and heads
of State under the principle of par in parem non habet imperium.
2. Territoriality Penal laws of the Philippines have force and effect only within its territory.
Exception:
RPC shall not be enforced within or outside the Philippine territories if so provided under
i. treaties;
ii. or laws of preferential application.
Extraterritoriality RPC applies outside Philippine territory
i. Commit an offense while on a Philippine registered ship-or airship
ii. Should forge or counterfeit any coin or currency note of the RP or obligations and
securities issued by the GRP
iii. Introduction into the Philippines of the Obligations and securities mentioned in the
preceding number
iv. Being public officers or employees, should commit an offense in the exercise of their
function;
v. Should commit any of the crimes against national security and the law of nations,
defined in Title one of Book Two of the code.
3. Prospectivity Penal laws have prospective application, unless it is favorable to the offender who is not a
habitual delinquent.
This principle applies also to administrative rulings and circulars, and to judicial decisions which although
in themselves are not laws, are evidence of what the law means.
The classical theory should be applied to those crimes that are grievous or heinous, the positivist theory must be
applied on economic and social crimes.
Equipose rule if the inculpatory facts and circumstances are capable of two or more explanations, one of which is
consistent with the innocence of the accused and the other consistent with his guilt, then the the evidence DOES
NOT FULFILL the test of MORAL CERTAINTY, and does not suffice to produce a conviction, the same shall be denied.
Where the evidence of the prosecution and of the defense are EQUALLY BALANCED, the scale should be TILTED in
FAVOR OF THE ACCUSED in view of the PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.
is regarded as seriously outrageous to the common standards or norms of decency and morality
in a just, civilized and orderly society.
The State with all its resources and power should not be allowed to make repeated attempts to convict an
individual for an alleged offense, thereby subjecting him to embarrassment, expense an ordeal and compelling him
to live in a continuing state of anxiety and insecurity, as well as enhancing the possibility that even though innocent,
he may be found guilty.
Simple said, verdicts of not guilty, is easy to understand: it is a need for repose, a desire to know the exact
extent of ones liability.
When theres acquittal of the accused it is final and cannot be appealed, if decision is appealed it will cause
double jeopardy. However, civil liability of the defendant may be appealed to the higher court.
January 1, 1932
These rules refer to the jurisdiction of one country (flag) over its merchant vessels situated in another country
(host).
Rule on Philippine Merchant ship or airship, if a crime is committed inside the ship.
- But if such foreign country refuses to take cognizance of the crime, the
Philippines can assume jurisdiction of the crime.
Take note: Philippine warship and the official vessel of the President, wherever they are, are extensions of the
Philippines and its sovereignty.
Article 3, of the Revised Penal Code defines it and how a felony is committed. Felonies are committed not
only by means of DECEIT but also by means of FAULT.
What is deceit? There is deceit or dolo, when the act is performed with DELIBERATE INTENT; When is
there fault? There is FAULT or culpa when the wrongful act results from IMPRUDENCE, NEGLIGENCE, LACK OF
FORESIGHT, OR LACK OF SKILL. (LIL-N)
In both cases, there is voluntariness, which is presumed from the elements of freedom of action and
intelligence.
Factors that affect intent and consequently the criminal liability of the actor or offender
1. Mistake of fact That mistake which had the FACTS BEEN TRUE to the belief of the offender, can justify his
act. It is such mistake that will negative criminal liability because of the ABSENCE OF THE ELEMENT OF
INTENT. However, if the offender is negligent in ascertaining the true state of facts, he may free from dolo
but not from culpa.
A is sleeping while B slowly opened the door of his room. A asked the identity of B 3 times. A also warned
B that he will kill him if he continues to enter his room. B entered the room. A stabbed him. After killing B,
A discovered that he killed his roommate. A was thinking that B is a robber, because of the rampant
robberies in their area. A even kept a knife under his pillow for personal protection. As action is justified,
he mistakenly think that B is a robber, A is not negligent because he gave a warning to B.
2. Aberratio ictus (mistake in the victim of the BLOW) the offender intends the injury on one person but
the HARM FELL ON ANOTHER. Intended result falls on another due to error in the identity of the victim.
Increases criminal liability which generally result to complex crime.
3. Error in Personae (mistake in the identity) the offender committed a mistake in ascertaining the identity
of the victim. Intended result falls on another due to error in the identity of the victim. It is aggravating if
the resulting crime is greater than that intended. No effect if the resulting crime is the same as that
intended.
A plans to shoot B. A is in front of Bs house waiting for B. A saw someone coming, thinking that it is B. He
fired his gun upon that person. Unfortunately, it is not B that he killed but it is C, hes father-in-law. What
are the crime/s committed? Murder
4. Praeter intentionem (so grave a wrong caused than that intended) the injury is on the intended victim
but the resulting consequence is so grave a wrong than what was intended. Actual crime is greater than
which is intended.
This is a mitigating circumstance, but if the means used to commit the desired crime would also logically
and naturally bring about the actual felony committed, prater intentionem will not be appreciated.
A and B had an altercation last Monday. A and B are classmates in a university. After the class, A
because of his anger, waited for B outside of the university. When B arrived, A immediately
punched B in the face. Because of the strong blow, B fell and his head hit the pavement. B was
brought to the hospital. He was comatose for 10 days but eventually died. Is A criminally liable?
Homicide, no intent to kill.
5. Proximate cause (the cause of the cause is the cause of the evil caused)
- Is that cause which, in its natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by
an efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which
the result would not have occurred.
A and B were inside their boarding house on a Friday afternoon. B was playing with his cellphone, he is
brandishing it around because of a new application that allows him to record a video with special effects.
B accidentally hit A in his head with the cellphone. After B hit A on his head by the cellphone, A was also hit
by a a nail which is protruding in a wall of their boarding house. A died after 20 days in the hospital.
Discuss the criminal liabilities.
Article 3, culpa here is a mode of committing a crime. (homicide through reckless imprudence) In Article
365 what is punishable is the culpa itself. (reckless imprudence resulting to homicide)
Criminal liability is incurred by any person committing a felony although the WRONGFUL act done be
DIFFERENT from that which HE INTENDED.
Impossible crime?
Consummated when ALL THE ELEMENTS necessary for its EXECUTION AND ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE
PRESENT.
- Offender here does not need to do anything to consummate the offense.
He has reached the OBJECTIVE STAGE of the offense as he has no longer
have control of his acts having already performed all that is necessary to
accomplish his purpose.
- Formal crimes are always CONSUMATED. Offender cannot commit the
crime if it is not CONSUMATED. Example Physical Injuries, it is always
consummated.
Frustrated offender performs ALL THE ACTS OF EXECUTION, which would PRODUCE THE FELONY as a
consequence but which, nevertheless do not PRODUCE IT by reason of CAUSES INDEPENDENT of the will of the
perpetrator.
- The reason why the felony was not produced should be independent of
the will of the perpetrator.
- If the cause of frustration is DUE TO THE WILL of the offender, the felony
is NOT FRUSTRATED, but could be another crime.
- No frustrated stage, RAPE, ARSON, CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC OFFCERS,
ADULTERY, THEFT AND ROBBERY.
Attempted offender COMMENCES the commission of a felony DIRECTLY BY OVERT ACTS, and does NOT
perform ALL THE ACTS OF EXECUTION which would produce the felony by REASON OF some cause or accident,
other than his own spontaneous desistance.
- Offender is still in the SUBJECTIVE PHASE because he has not performed
all acts necessary for its accomplishment.
- Therefore, he still has CONTROL OVER his acts as he may or may not
continue his overt acts.
There is conspiracy when two or more persons come to an agreement concerning the commission of a
felony and decide to commit it.
Take note that the same degree of proof is required for establishing the crime is required to support a
finding of conspiracy.
Evidence of actual cooperation and not mere cognize or approval of an illegal act is required to establish
conspiracy.
General rule: Liability of the conspirators are only for the CRIME AGREED UPON.
EXCEPTION:
a. When the other crime was committed in their presence and they did not prevent its
commission indicating their approval thereof;
b. When the other crime is the NATURAL CONSEQUENCE of the crime planned.
c. When the resulting crime was COMPOSITE CRIME because a composite crime or special complex
crime is indivisible.
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Article 9
Grave Felonies law attaches capital punishment or penalties
Less Grave Felonies law punishes with penalties which in their maximum period are correctional
Light Felonies infractions of law for the commission of which the penalty of arresto menor or a fine not
exceeding 200 pesos, or both is provided.
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Entrapment vs Instigation
Inducement or Instigation, criminal intent originates in the mind of the INSTIGATOR (police officer or an
authority) and the accused is LURED into the commission of the offense charged in order to prosecute
him. The instigator practically INDUCES ANOTHER to COMMIT the offense and himself becomes CO-
PRINCIPAL. This is against public policy.
To know entrapment or is it instigation, check from whom the criminal intent originated.
Justifying Circumstances
Self-defense it includes defense of life, chastity, of property and of honor (honor includes defense against
defamation)
- When accused claims for self-defense. The accused has to prove by clear
and convincing evidence that he acted in self-defense.
- The claim of self-defense, sets an admission of the crime.
Requisites
1. Unlawful aggression
- An attack or material aggression, an offensive act positively determining
the intent of the aggressor to cause injury, shall have been made.
- take note: Where the unlawful aggression which has begun no longer
exists, the one making the defense has NO MORE right to kill or even
wound the former aggressor.
Doctrine of Self-Help
The law justifies the act of the owner or lawful possessor of a thing in using such force as is necessary to
protect his proprietary or possessory rights at the very moment at unlawful deprivation.
But not to the extent of taking the offenders life unless there is a like danger posed on the person of the
defender.
a. Unlawful aggression
b. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it;
c. In case the provocation was given by the person attacked, the person defending
had no part therein. The person defending must have no part in the provocation, in
case provocation was given by the person who was attacked.
a. Unlawful aggression
b. Reasonable necessity of the means employed to prevent or repel it
c. The person defending is not induced by revenge, resentment or other evil motives.
Battered woman syndrome the BWS is characterized by cycle of violence, which has three phases:
a. The tension-building phase
b. The acute battering incident; and
c. Tranquil, loving (or, at least nonviolent) phase.
Note: To be classified as a battered woman, the couple must go through the battering cycle at least twice.
Any woman may find herself in an abusive relationship with a man once. If it occurs a second time, and she
remains in the situation, she is a Battered woman.
a. The offender acted in the performance of a duty or the lawful exercise of a right or office; and
b. The injury caused or the offense committed is the necessary consequence of the due performance of
such right or office. (absence of this element justification becomes incomplete, converting it to MC)
Note: Even if the order is illegal but it apparently legal and the subordinate is NOT AWARE of its illegality, the
subordinate is not liable.
Exempting circumstances these are circumstances, although the act is criminal, the law exempts the actor from
liability. Although there is no criminal liability, there is civil liability EXCEPT in accident and insuperable cause
which strictly are not criminal.
Exempting circumstances
ii. The actor must be reduced to a mere instrument, such that the element of
freedom is wanting
Note: D and E, are founded on duress or LACK OF VOLUNTARINESS on the PART OF THE ACTOR.
JC EC
The act is LEGAL, within the bounds of law The act is criminal
There is no crime, hence no criminal There is a crime and a criminal
Since there is no crime, there is no criminal and civil Since there is a crime, (but exempt from criminal
liability liability) there is civil liability
The emphasis of the law is on the act The emphasis of the law is on the actor.
Note: OMC, when there are 2 OMCs and no AC, penalty shall be lowered to one degree.
Ordinary MC Privileged MC
Can be offset by GENERIC aggravating circumstance Cannot be offset by ANY aggravating circumstance
Penalty is lowered to the MINIMUM period of the Penalty is LOWERED by one or two DEGREES
penalty prescribed
Not considered when what is prescribed is SINGLE ALWAYS considered whether the penalty imposable is
INDIVISIBLE PENALTY DIVISIBLE or INDIVISIBLE
Minority
Notes:
It is never considered as an ordinary mitigating circumstance. It is ALWAYS considered as PMC
Praeter Intentionem
It is the lack of intention to commit so grave a wrong as that committed. There should be great disparity
between the intent and its consequences.
Sufficient Provocation
The provocation must be SUFFICIENT; immediate to the commission of the crime; and MUST originate
from the OFFENDED PARTY.
Provocation is immediate if no interval of time elapsed between the provocation and the commission of
the crime.
Voluntary Surrender
The offender surrendered to a person in authority or his agent;
The offender surrendered before arrest is effected
The surrender must be voluntary, spontaneous, and must show the intent of the accused to submit
himself unconditionally to the authorities, either because he acknowledges his guilt or he wishes to save
them the trouble and expense incidental to his search and capture.
o But in a SC decision, voluntary surrender is appreciated because IMMEDIATELY UPON LEARNING
that a warrant for his arrest was issued, and WITHOUT the same having been served on him, the
accused SURRENDERED to the POLICE.
There is no pending warrant of arrest or information is filed.
It must be shown that such physical defect LIMITS his means of communication with his fellow beings to
such an extent that he DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE freedom of action, consequently resulting in
diminution of the element of voluntariness.
Defect or illness must only DIMINISH and NOT DEPRIVE the offender of the CONSCIOUSNESS of his acts;
otherwise it will be considered as an EXEMPTING CIRCUMSTANCE.
Aggravating Circumstances
AC must be alleged in the information, because they increase the penalty and the offender must be given
the opportunity to defend himself against these; MCs are matters of defense, hence not required to be
alleged in the information.
Kinds of AC
Generic Aggravating Circumstance
o Apply generally to all crimes
o Can be offset by ordinary mitigating circumstance
o Increase the penalty to the MAXIMUM PERIOD of the penalty prescribed in the law, provided it is
alleged in the information, but cannot increase the penalty to a higher degree even if there are
numerous ACs.
Qualifying Aggravating Circumstance
o Cannot be offset by any MC
o Change the nature of the crime and the designation of the offense
JOHN DX LAPID | PRE-WEEK NOTES ON CRIMINAL LAW BOOK 1 | 2016 13
o Must be alleged in the information
o Must be proved as CONCLUSIVELY as the guilt of the offender because of its effect which is to
CHANGE the nature of the offenses and CONSEQUENTLY INCREASE the PENALTY by degrees.
AC Abuse of Official Position (test) Did the accused abuse his office IN ORDER TO COMMIT THE CRIME? If yes,
then this circumstance is present. The public official must use the INFLUENCE, PRESTIGE, and ASCENDANCY which
his OFFICE GIVES HIM in realizing his purpose.
Insult to Public Authorities The public authority is engaged in the DISCHARGED OF HIS DUTIES and the
OFFENDER KNOWS that he is a PUBLIC AUTHORITY. It shows disrespect of the offender in the commission of the
crime notwithstanding the PRESENCE of public authority. This is deemed absorbed in Direct assault.
Abuse of confidence
Offended has trusted the offender
Offender abused such trust
Such abuse of confidence facilitated the commission of the crime
Confidence must be a means of facilitating the commission of the crime.
Nighttime
Nighttime was especially sought by the offender
It was taken advantage of by him
It facilitated the commission of the crime by insuring the offenders IMMUNITY from capture
The place where the crime was committed was not illuminated.
Nighttime is from sunset to sunrise.
Absorbed in treachery if it is a part of the treacherous means to insure execution of the crime
Uninhabited place
Appreciated if a place sought by the offender, will insure that the offended will not have the possibility of
SECURING ANY ASSISTANCE.
Band
It consists of:
More than 3 (4 or more persons)
Armed malefactors (at least 4 must be armed)
Calamity or Misfortune
It refers to events similar in nature as conflagration, shipwreck, earthquake or epidemic.
Aid of armed men
Armed men or persons took part in the commission of the crime, directly or indirectly; and
That the accused availed himself of their aid or relied upon them when the crime was committed.
Aid of armed men cannot be appreciated when there is CONSIPRACY between the armed men and the
accused. They are all principals in the commission of the crime.
The armed men who aided the accused in the commission of the crime are considered as accomplices.
At least 2 armed men
Habituality
Forms: Recidivism, Reiteracion, Habitual Delinquency, Quasi recidivism
Inundation, Fire, poison, explosion, stranding of a vessel, or intentional damage thereto, derailment of a
locomotive, or by the use of any other artifice involving great waste and ruin.
Evident premeditation
The TIME when the offender determined to commit the crime;
An ACT manifestly indicating that he has clung to his determination; and
Sufficient LAPSE of time between such determination and execution to allow him to reflect upon the
consequences of his act.
Criminal act must be preceded by cool thought and reflection of the resolution to carry out the criminal
intent during the space of time sufficient to arrive at a calm judgment.
Cannot be appreciated, when it is an inherent element of a crime
Not inherent in Robbery with Homicide, EM must relate to the killing not to the robbery.
There is abuse of superior strength where the offenders INTENTIONALLY and PURPOSELY employ
EXCESSIVE FORCE out of PROPORTION to the means of DEFENSE available to the offended party.
Not appreciated when the assault is with passion or obfuscation
Not appreciated by mere superiority in the number of malefactors
Treachery
Offender must insure that the offended at the time of the attack was NOT IN A POSITION TO PUT UP ANY
DEFENSE
The means, manner, method, and form was CONSIOUSLY and DELIBERATELY CHOSEN by the offender.
Offended must be defenseless
Applicable only to crimes against persons
Essence is the swiftness and the unexpectedness of the attack upon the unsuspecting and unarmed
victim, who does not give the slightest provocation
It must be present at the INCEPTION of the attack
General rule: Frontal attack is not treachery. It is treachery if the attack is SUDDEN and in a MANNER that
tends DIRECTLY and ESPECIALLY to INSURE its EXECUTION free from danger and without risk to oneself on
account of what the victim might make to defend himself.
Qualifying circumstance in murder
Special aggravating circumstance in serious physical injuries.
Generic aggravating circumstance in less serious physical injuries
Treachery absorbs both nighttime and taking advantage of superior strength.
Ignominy
This circumstance pertains to the MORAL ATTRIBUTE, which adds DISGRACE to the MATERIAL INJURY
caused by the CRIME. It produces MORE suffering on account of humiliating effects.
It adds disgraces, obloquy to the material injury caused by the crime
Alternative circumstances
Relationship exclusively that of spouse, ascendant, descendant, legitimate, natural or adopted
brother or sister or relative by affinity in the same degrees. Stepparents and stepchildren are included
by analogy
Intoxication this is mitigating if the person pleading it
o He has taken a quantity of alcoholic beverage prior to the commission of the crime sufficient
to produce the effect of obfuscating reason
o Did not drink the alcoholic drink with the intention to reinforce his resolve to commit the
crime.
o It should be such an intoxication that would diminish or impair the exercise of his willpower
or the capacity to know the injustice of his act.
Degree of instruction and education of the offender
o MC of degree of instruction does not apply to theft and robbery
o High degree of learning should be taken in relation to the crime committed, whether his
education puts him in a BETTER position than ordinary offenders.
For GRAVE AND LESS GRAVE FELONIES, Principals, Accomplices and Accessories are liable. But for light felonies
only Principals and Accomplices are liable.
Principals
a. Take A DIRECT PARTICIPATION in the execution of the act (Principal by Direct Participation)
i. PDP must appear at the scene of the crime and perform acts necessary in the
commission of the offense to be liable.
1. Non-appearance is desistance
2. Conspiracy is not a crime unless it is provided by law.
3. There is no basis for liability because there is no criminal participation
b. Those who DIRECTLY FORCE or INDUCE others to COMMIT a crime (Principal by Inducement)
i. PI must INTEND that his INDUCEMENT be OBEYED.
ii. The PIs inducement must be of such a nature and made in such a manner as to become
the determining cause of the crime
iii. PI need not to appear in the crime scene
Accomplices who not being a principal, COOPERATES in the EXECUTION of the OFFENSE by
PREVIOUS OR SIMULTANEOUS acts.
To be an accomplice:
Offender should TAKE PART in the EXECUTION of the CRIME BY PREVIOUS OR
SIMULTANEOUS ACT.
He has the INTENTION take PART in the commission of the crime.
Note: if there is conspiracy, accomplice ceases to be an accomplice BUT instead is CONSIDERED a
PRINCIPAL although his PARTICIPATION is such that, without the conspiracy, should have been that of
an accomplice.
Example of an accomplice: A lookout who was not part of the conspiracy but participated only after
such decision was reached is an accomplice, since he is merely an instrument of the crime and
cooperates after the DECISION to COMMIT the same had ALREADY BEEN MADE.
Conspirators decide that a crime will be committed, accomplices merely concur in it and cooperate in
the accomplishment.
Accessories
a. Have knowledge of the commission of the crime
b. Without having participated therein;
c. And take part SUBSEQUENT to its COMMISSION in any of the following manners;
i. By PROFITING OR ASSISTING the offender to PROFIT from the effects of the crime
ii. By CONCEALING or DESTROYING the BODY OF THE CRIME, or effects or the instruments
thereof to prevent its discovery.
iii. By HARBORING, CONCEALING OR ASSISTING in the ESCAPE of the PRINCIPAL.
- Those who assist the principal to escape may be prosecuted for
obstruction of justice not as an accessory but as a PRINCIPAL, PROVIDED
that a SEPARATE INFORMATION shall be PREPARED for the CRIME OF
OBSTRUCTION.
Accessories exempt from liability are the Offenders a. spouse, b. ascendant c. descendant, d. legitimate, natural
and adopted brothers and sisters, e. relatives by affinity within the same degrees as those enumerated.
Complex crimes proper one offense is necessary to commit another. First crime must be a necessary means to
commit the other. This means that the first crime is committed to insure and facilitate the commission of the next
crime.
Special Complex Crimes which are treated as single indivisible offenses although comprising more than one
specific crime and with specific penalty.
These refer to two or more crimes that the law treats as a single indivisible and unique offense for being the
product of a single criminal impulse.
Example:
Rape with Homicide Homicide must always be consummated, otherwise separate offenses. The
Rape may either be CONSUMMATED or ATTEMPTED.
Kidnapping with Rape Offender should not have taken the victim with lewd designs; otherwise, it
would be a complex crime of FORCIBLE ABDUCTION WITH RAPE.
o If the main objective is the burning of the building or edifice, but death results by reason or
on occasion of arson, the crime is simply ARSON, and the resulting homicide is absorbed
o If, on the other hand, the main objective is to kill a particular person who may be in a
building or edifice, when fire is resort to as the means to accomplish the goal the crime
committed is MURDER.
o If the objective is, likewise to kill a particular person, and in fact the offender has already
done so, but fire is resorted to as a means to COVER UP THE KILLING, then there are two
separate crimes committed HOMICIDE/MURDER and ARSON
Problem: A after a verbal fight with B regarding their ex-boyfriends, resorted in planning to kill the latter.
A studied where B passes every night before going home. A also investigated as to where B lives. A after 2
days of following B decided to execute his plan. B arrived in his house around 8 in the evening. A was
1. ISL does not apply for offenders whose crimes committed are punishable by DEATH, RECLUSION
PERPETUA and LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
2. Those convicted of treason, conspiracy, or proposal to commit treason, misprision of treason,
rebellion, sedition, or espionage, convicted of piracy
3. Habitual delinquents
4. Those who escaped from confinement or those who evaded sentence
5. Those granted conditional pardon and who violated its terms
6. Those whose maximum period of imprisonment does not exceed one year.
- The penalty imposed does not exceed one year, the accused cannot
avail of the benefits of the law, the application of which is based
upon the penalty actually imposed in accordance with the law and
not upon that which may be imposed in the discretion of the court.
7. Those who are already SERVING final judgment upon approval of the ISL.
RULES
The sentence MUST STATE: WITHIN THE RANGE OF __________ AS MINIMUM, AND WITHIN THE
RANGE OF ___________ AS MAXIMUM
After considering the PMC, lower the maximum period by one degree
The minimum is fixed at one degree lower than the penalty provided by the RPC
Special laws that use the nomenclature of penalties of the RPC shall be covered by the rules of ISL
Parole VS Pardon
In parole, the minimum sentence must be served; in Pardon, service is not required for the grant thereof
Parole is a benefit granted by law, specifically the ISL, pardon is an exercise of the power of the president under
the constitution.
Probation vs ISL
Probation ISL
Sentence Must not be more than 6 years Maximum period must be more
than 1 year
Penalty Imprisonment or fine Imprisonment only
Disposition Sentence is suspended Minimum to be served
Violation Entire sentence shall be served Unexpired portion shall be served
Appeal Forecloses probation No effect on the operation of ISL
Availability Only once Every time as long as offender is
NOT DISQUALIFIED
Nature A privilege; convict must applied Mandatory; convict need not apply
for it for it.
Prescription of crimes
Commencement of prescription:
From the day on which the crime is discovered by the offended party, the authorities, or their
agents
Prescription of the crime will not run if the offender is NOT IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Crime Prescription
RP, RT 20 years
Afflictive penalties 15 years
Punishable by correctional penalties except arresto mayor 10 years
Arresto mayor 5 years
Libel or other similar offenses 1 year
Offenses of oral defamation and slander by deed 6 months
Light offenses 2 months
Compound crime highest penalty imposed is the basis of prescription
Penalty Prescription
RP 20 years
RT, Disqualification, and prision mayor 15 years
Prison Correcional, suspension and distierro 10 years
Arresto Mayor 5 years
Arresto Menor, public censure 1 year
Prescription of penalty starts to run, when the convict EVADES service of sentence by ESCAPING DURING THE
TERM OF HIS SENTENCE. If the convict has not suffered deprivation of liberty before his arrest and as a
consequence, never evaded sentence by escaping during the term of his sentence, the period of prescription never
began.
PC is the LOSS of the RIGHT to prosecute the offender whereas PP is the loss of the right to ENFORCE the penalty
for the CRIME COMMITTED.