Amendment to Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code Re: Usurpation of Authority
Republic Act No. 379, enacted on June 14, 1949, amends Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. The amendment criminalizes the false representation of oneself as an officer or agent of the Philippine or foreign government, or the unauthorized performance of acts typically reserved for such officials. Offenders are subject to the penalty of prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods. This law aims to prevent usurpation of official functions and enhance accountability in public service. The Act took effect upon its approval and was published in the Official Gazette.
June 14, 1949
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 379
AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
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 of prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods." acd
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 14, 1949
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 45, No. 8, p. 3186 in August 1949