Amending Art. 152 of the Revised Penal Code by Considering Lawyers as Persons in Authority
Batas Pambansa Blg. 873, enacted on June 12, 1985, amends Article 152 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines to classify lawyers as "persons in authority" while performing their professional duties. This designation extends to individuals vested with jurisdiction, such as members of courts, barangay officials, and those maintaining public order. The amendment also recognizes teachers and supervisors in educational institutions as persons in authority. The law took effect 30 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
June 12, 1985
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 873
AN ACT AMENDING ARTICLE 152 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE BY CONSIDERING LAWYERS AS PERSONS IN AUTHORITY WHEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES OR ON THE OCCASION THEREOF
SECTION 1. Article 152 of the Revised Penal Code is amended as follows:
"Art. 152. Persons in authority and agents of persons in authority. — Who shall be deemed as such. — In applying the provisions of the preceding and other articles of this Code, any person directly vested with jurisdiction, whether as an individual or as a member of some court or governmental corporation, board, or commission, shall be deemed a person in authority. A barrio captain and a barangay chairman shall also be deemed a person in authority. cd
"Any person who, by direct provision of law or by election or by appointment by competent authority, is charged with the maintenance of public order and the protection and security of life and property, such as barrio councilman, barrio policeman and barangay leader, and any person who comes to the aid of persons in authority, shall be deemed an agent of a person in authority."
"In applying the provisions of Articles 148 and 151 of this Code, teachers, professors, and persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized private schools, colleges and universities, and lawyers in the actual performance of their professional duties or on the occasion of such performance, shall be deemed persons in authority."
SECTION 2. After approval, this amendment shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Approved: June 12, 1985 casia
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 81 No. 27 Page 2751 on July 8, 1985.