Sotto, Gordon welcome signing of new perjury law

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Richard Gordon on Friday welcomed the signing of the law increasing the penalties for perjury or false testimony under oath before the court or other legal proceedings.

Sotto, one the principal authors of the law, said this will give “more teeth” to the perjury provision in the Revised Penal Code.

“With this new law, the public is assured that truth will prevail at all times and will always be the guiding principle of all public officials,” Sotto said.

On the other hand, Gordon, the sponsor of the measure in the Senate, said the new law should be a “stark reminder” to everyone who are called to testify before the courts and any other legal proceeding, that lying under oath shall be meted with stricter penalties.

“Increasing the penalties for perjury would send a strong signal to all that even those in power shall be held accountable for their lies.  You cannot lie under oath and go scot-free anymore,” he emphasized.

“The higher penalties would be sufficient to deter the commission of perjury and create a culture of truth-telling,” he added.

Gordon noted that the law was signed into law amid the Senate blue ribbon committee’s investigation into the government procurement of COVID-19 supplies.

Last October 29, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11594 which amends Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code.

Under the new law, perjury is punishable by prison mayor, or six years and one day to eight years, to its medium period of eight years and one day to 10 years.

For public official or government employee found guilty of perjury, he shall be penalized with a maximum period with a fine of P1 million and perpetual disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in government.—AOL, GMA News