SPECIAL PENAL LAWS

JOSE ARTURO C. DE CASTRO, J.D., LL.M., J.S.D.

 RPC & SPLs
Nature-Based Classification of Crimes
Distinguish Mala In Se and Mala Prohibita
Cases:
U.S. v. Go Chico, 14 Phil. 128 (1909)
Padilla v. Dizon, 158 SCRA 127 (1988)
Estrada v. Sandiganbayan, 369 SCRA 394 (2001)
Go v. SB, G.R.No. 172602, Sept. 3, 2007
Teves v. COMELEC, G.R.No. 180363, April 28, 2009
 RPC & SPLs cont 1
Mala Prohibita
Actus Reus
Wrongful Act
Wrong only because the law criminally prohibits the act or
omission
Mens Rea
Voluntariness
Intelligence
Freedom of Action
Intent to Perform the Act
Criminal Intent not necessary.
Good faith not a defense.
 RPC & SPLs cont 2
Mala In se
Actus Reus
Wrongful Act = Inherently evil
Mens Rea
Voluntariness
Intelligence
Freedom of Action
Intent to Perform the Act
The act intended being inherently evil,criminal or evil
intent flows as a matter of course.
Good faith, a defense
 RPC & SPLs contd 3
Relationship between RPC and SPLs (Art.10, RPC)
Cases:
Sanchez v. People, G.R.No. 179090, June 5, 2009
People v. Saley, 291 SCRA 715 (1998)
People v. Simon, 234 SCRA 555 (1994)
Ladonga v. People, 451 SCRA 673 (2005)
People v. Bustinera, 431 SCRA 284 (2004)
Go-Tan v. Tan, 567 SCRA 231 (2008)
People v. Velasco, G.R.No. 110592, Jan. 23, 1996
 Bouncing Checks Law
(B.P. 22)
Rationale/Purpose?
Punishable Acts?
Malum Prohibitum or Malum In Se?
Evidence of knowledge of insufficient funds (2)
Duty of drawee; Prima Facie evidence (3)
Related Issuances:
SC Administrative Circular No. 12-2000
SC Administrative Circular No. 13-2001
 Bouncing Checks Law,
contd 1
Cases:
Cueme v. People, G.R.No. 133325, June 30, 2000
Lim v. People, 340 SCRA 497 (2000)
Nierras v. Dacuycuy, 181 SCRA 1
Ambito v. People, G.R.No. 127327, Feb.13, 2009
Dy v. People, G.R.No. 158312, Nov.14, 2008
Yap v. Cabales, G.R.No. 159186, June 5, 2009
Wong v. CA, G.R.No. 117857, Feb.2, 2001
People v. Gorospe, 157 SCRA 154
Llamado v. CA, 270 SCRA 423
Que v. People, 154 SCRA 160
Sycip Jr. v. CA, G.R.No. 125059, March 17, 2000
Vaca v. CA, G.R.No. 131714, Nov. 1998
 Bouncing Checks Law,
contd 2
Cabrera v. CA, G.R.No. 150618, July 24, 2003
Svendsen v. People, G.R.No. 175381, Feb. 26, 2008
Magno v. CA, G.R.No. 96132, June 26, 1992
People v. Nitafan, 214 SCRA 79
Tan v. Mendez, G.R.No. 138669, June 6, 2002
Lunaria v. People, G.R.No. 160127, Nov.11, 2008
Lao v. CA, 274 SCRA 572
Tan v. People, G.R.No. 141466, Jan. 19, 2001
Bautista v. CA, 360 SCRA 618
People v. Balasa, G.R.No. 106357, Sept.3, 1998
San Mateo v. People, G.R.No. 200090, March 6, 2013
Dichaves v. Judge Apalit, A.M. MTJ-CC-1274, June 8, 2000
Resterio v. People, G.R.No. 177438, Sept. 24, 2012
King v. People, G.R.No. 131540, Dec.2, 1999
 Bouncing Checks Law,
contd 3
Compare B.P. 22 with Estafa under Art. 315(2)(d), RPC, as amended by P.D.
818.
Cases:
Castro v. Mendoza, G.R.No. 50173, Sept. 21, 1993
Cajigas v. People, G.R.No. 156541, Feb.23, 2009
People v. Cardenas, G.R.No. 178064, Feb.10, 2009
Dy v. People, G.R.No. 158312, Nov. 14, 2008
Lim v. People, G.R.No. 130038, Sept. 18, 2000
Uy v. CA, G.R.No. 119000, July 28, 1997

PD 1689 (Increasing Penalty for Estafa)

Cases:
Guy v. CA, G.R.No. 187919, April 25, 2012
Catiis v. CA, G.R.No. 153979, Feb.6, 2006
 Anti-Carnapping Law
Anti-Carnapping Act (RA 10883)
Purpose?
What is Carnapping? Elements? (Sec.3)
What is a Motor Vehicle under RA 10883?
Compare with old law (RA 6539, as amended).
Cases:
People v. Bustinera, 431 SCRA 254 (2004)
People v. Lagat, G.R.No. 187044, Sept. 14, 2011
People v. Nocum, G.R.No. 179041, April 1, 2013
Dimat v. People, G.R.No. 181184, Jan. 25, 2012
 Anti-Carnapping Law,
contd 1
Other Offenses?
Concealment of Carnapping (Sec.4)

Other Unlawful Acts?

Cases:
People v. Tan, G.R.No. 135904, Jan. 21, 2000
People v. Ellasos, G.R.No. 139323, June 6, 2001
People v. Mejia, G.R.Nos. 118940-411, July 7, 1997
 Anti-Fencing Law
(PD 1612)
Purpose?
What is Fencing? Elements?
Is it Malum in se or Malum Prohibita?
Presumption of Fencing
Cases:
Tan v. People, G.R.No. 134298, Aug. 26, 1999
Dimat v. People, G.R.No. 181184, Jan.25, 2012
Dunlao v. CA, G.R.No. 111343, Aug.22, 1996
 Arson
History
Purpose?
Malum in se or Malum prohibitum?
Offenses covered:
Arson (1)
Destructive Arson (2 [1 to 7])
Other Cases of Arson (3[1 to 6])
Conspiracy to commit Arson (7)

Aggravating Circumstances in Arson (4 &5)

Prima Facie Evidence of Arson (6 [1-7])
What happens to the object of Arson?
 Arson contd 1
Cases:
People v. Gutierrez, 258 SCRA 70 (1996)
People v. De Leon, G.R.No. 180762, March 4, 2009
People v. Oliva, G.R.No. 122110, Sept. 26, 2000
People v. Omotoy, G.R.No. 112719, Jan. 29, 1997