Republic Act No. 379: An act to amend article one hundred and seventy-seven of the revised penal code.

In plain language

Amends Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code to define and penalize the usurpation of authority or official functions by individuals falsely representing themselves as officers or agents of the government.

Amendment of Article 177 to penalize usurpation of authority.

Defines usurpation of authority as knowingly and falsely representing oneself as an officer or agent.

Specifies imprisonment as punishment.

Revised Penal Code

Article 177

Usurpation

Penal Code Amendment

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 379, June 14, 1949 ]

AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1

Article one hundred and seventy-seven of Act Numbered Thirty-eight hundred and fifteen, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, is amended to read as follows:

ART. 177.Usurpation of authority or official functions. Any person who shall knowingly and falsely represent himself to be an officer, agent or representative of any department or agency of the Philippine Government or of any foreign government, or who, under pretense of official position, shall perform any act pertaining to any person in authority or public officer of the Philippine Government or of any foreign government, or any agency thereof, without being lawfully entitled to do so, shall suffer the penalty ofprision correctionalin its minimum and medium periods.

Section 2

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 14, 1949.

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.