Duterte OKs stiffer penalties for perjury

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure increasing the penalty for those convicted of perjury.

Under Republic Act 11594, which amends Article 183 of the Revised penal Code, penalty for perjury will now be punishable with prision mayor in its minimum period (from 6 years and 1 day to 8 years) to its medium period (from 8 years and 1 day to 10 years).

The guilty party will also be meted with a fine not exceeding P1 million and slapped with perpetual and absolute disqualification from holding any public office if he or she is a public officer or employee. He or she will also face imprisonment in its maximum period of 12 years.

The new law says perjury is committed when an individual "knowingly" makes untruthful statements under oath or "make an affidavit, upon any material matter before a competent person authorized to administer an oath in cases in which the law so requires."

Before the amendment, the previous maximum penalty for perjury was imprisonment of only two years and two months.

The copy of the law was released by Malacañang on Thursday. —Giselle Ombay/KBK, GMA News