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Republic Act
Approved October 3, 1946

Republic Act No. 47

An act to amend article eighty of the revised penal code, as amended

An Act to Amend Article Eighty of the Revised Penal Code, as Amended

In plain language

Amends Article 80 of the Revised Penal Code to suspend sentences for minor delinquents under sixteen years of age.

  • Amendment to Article 80 allowing suspension of sentence for minors under sixteen
  • Provision for custody or care in public/private institutions or responsible persons
  • Court orders suspension of further proceedings
  • Minor remains under supervision until majority or court‑determined period
Revised Penal Code
Minor Delinquency
Suspension of Sentence
Republic Act 47

REPUBLIC ACT No. 47

An Act to Amend Article Eighty of the Revised Penal Code, as Amended

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1

The first paragraph of article eighty of Act Numbered Thirty-eight hundred and fifteen, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, as last amended by Commonwealth Act Numbered Ninety-nine, is hereby amended to read as follows:

> "Art. 80. Suspension of sentence of minor delinquents. Whenever a minor of either sex, under sixteen years of age at the date of the commission of a grave or less grave felony, is accused thereof, the court, after hearing the evidence in the proper proceedings, instead of pronouncing judgment of conviction, shall suspend all further proceedings and shall commit such minor to the custody or care of a public or private, benevolent or charitable institution, established under the law for the care, correction or education of orphaned, homeless, defective, and delinquent children, or to the custody or care of any other responsible person in any other place subject to visitation and supervision by the Director of Public Welfare or any of his agents or representatives, if there be any, or otherwise by the superintendent of public schools or his representatives, subject to such conditions as are prescribed hereinbelow until such minor shall have reached his majority or for such less period as the court may deem proper.

Section 2

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: October 3, 1946

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.