Senate OKs on 2nd reading heavier penalties for perjury committed outside courts

The Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill seeking to impose longer prison time for persons who give false testimonies under oath or affidavit outside court proceedings.

Senate Bill No. 1354 proposes to amend Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code and impose a jail term of six years and one day up to ten years for violators.

Under the existing law, the maximum penalty for perjury is imprisonment of only two years and two months.

The bill also provides that a fine not exceeding P1 million shall be meted out if the violator is a public official or employee. He or she shall also face perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any position in the government.

False testimonies given during Senate inquiries will be covered by the proposed measure.

Prior to the approval, the bill was amended to delete the portion which states that "any person who shall incriminate or impute through false testimony or untruthful statements under oath or through an affidavit, any person the commission of a crime shall suffer the same penalty as that being imputed."

Senator Richard Gordon, sponsor of the bill, said retaining this "harsh" provision would cause quite some inconsistencies as it would mean imposing higher penalties for perjury committed outside judicial proceedings than those that are committed in courts. — BM, GMA News