Revised Penal Code · Discovery and Revelation of Secrets

Article 290

Discovering secrets through seizure of correspondence

Amended
By RA 10951 (2017)

Current text, as of October 15, 2026

The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any private individual who in order to discover the secrets of another, shall seize his papers or letters and reveal the contents thereof.

If the offender shall not reveal such secrets, the penalty shall be arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000).

This provision shall not be applicable to parents, guardians, or person entrusted with the custody of minors with respect to the papers or letters of the children or minors placed under their care or custody, nor to spouses with respect to the papers or letters of either of them.

Consolidated by Alleba from the 1930 text of Act No. 3815 (Lawphil) and the amending Republic Acts in our library. Amendments made by Presidential Decrees, Batas Pambansa or executive orders are not yet included. 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.