Commonwealth Act No. 264, enacted on April 22, 1938, amends specific articles of the Revised Penal Code concerning the protection of legislative bodies in the Philippines. Article 143 penalizes individuals who prevent meetings of the National Assembly or related bodies through force or fraud, imposing penalties of prision correccional or fines between 200 and 2,000 pesos. Article 144 addresses disturbances during such meetings, prescribing penalties of arresto mayor or fines from 200 to 1,000 pesos for disruptive behavior. Article 145 establishes severe penalties, including prision mayor, for anyone using threats or force to obstruct a member's participation in the Assembly or its committees, while also protecting members from being arrested during sessions, except in specific circumstances. This Act aims to ensure the integrity and smooth operation of legislative proceedings.
April 22, 1938
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 264
AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLES ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE, ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR, AND ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIVE OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
Articles one hundred and forty-three, one hundred and forty-four, and one hundred and forty-five of Act Numbered Thirty-eight hundred and fifteen, known as "The Revised Penal Code," are hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"ART. 143. Acts tending to prevent the meeting of the Assembly and similar bodies. — The penalty of prision correccional or a fine ranging from 200 to 2,000 pesos, or both, shall be imposed upon any person who by force or fraud prevents the meeting of the National Assembly or of any of its committees or subcommittees, constitutional commissions or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board.
"ART. 144. Disturbance of Proceedings. — The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine ranging from 200 to 1,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any person who disturbs the meetings of the National Assembly or of any of its committees or subcommittees, constitutional commissions or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board, or in the presence of any such bodies should behave in such manner as to interrupt its proceedings or to impair the respect due to it.
"ART. 145. Violation of parliamentary immunity. — The penalty of prision mayor shall be imposed upon any person who shall use force, intimidation, threats, or fraud to prevent any member of the National Assembly from attending the meetings of the Assembly or of any of its committees or subcommittees, constitutional commissions or committees or divisions thereof, from expressing his opinions or casting his vote; and the penalty of prision correccional shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall, while the Assembly is in regular or special session, arrest or search any member thereof, except in case such member has committed a crime punishable under this Code by a penalty higher than prision mayor."
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: April 22, 1938