Amendment to Article 195 of the Revised Penal Code
Commonwealth Act No. 235, enacted on September 16, 1937, amends Article 195 of the Revised Penal Code, establishing penalties for various gambling-related offenses. It imposes a penalty of arresto menor or fines for individuals participating in games such as monte, jueteng, and other chance-based gambling activities. Recidivists face increased penalties, while those who knowingly allow gambling on their property face harsher punishments. Additionally, severe penalties are outlined for maintainers and conductors of jueteng games and for those in possession of related lottery materials without lawful purpose. This act aims to regulate and penalize illegal gambling practices in the Philippines.
September 16, 1937
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 235
AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIVE OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
SECTION 1. Article one hundred and ninety-five of the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: caIEAD
"ART. 195. What acts are punishable in gambling. — (a) The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding two hundred pesos, and, in case of recidivism, the penalty of arresto mayor or a fine ranging from two hundred to six thousand pesos, shall be imposed upon:
"1. Any person other than those referred to in subsections (b) and (c) who, in any manner, shall directly or indirectly take part in any game of monte, jueteng or any other form of lottery, policy, banking or percentage game, dog races or any other game or scheme the result of which depends wholly or chiefly upon chance or hazard; or wherein wagers consisting of money, articles of value or representative of value are made; or in the exploitation or use of any other mechanical invention or contrivance to determine by chance the loser or winner of money or any object or representative of value.
"2. Any person who shall knowingly permit any form of gambling referred to in the preceding subdivision to be carried on in any inhabited or uninhabited place or any building, vessel or other means of transportation owned or controlled by him. If the place where gambling is carried on has the reputation of a gambling place or that prohibited gambling is frequently carried on therein, the culprit shall be punished by the penalty provided for in this article in its maximum period. EaDATc
"(b) The penalty of prisión correccional in its maximum degree shall be imposed upon the maintainer, conductor, or banker in a game of "jueteng" or any similar game.
"(c) The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium degree shall be imposed upon any person who shall, knowingly and without lawful purpose, have in his possession any lottery list, paper or other matter containing letters, figures, signs or symbols which pertain to or are in any manner used in the game of jueteng or any similar game which has taken place or about to take place."
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: September 16, 1937