Increasing the Penalty for Robbery or Theft of Mail Matter
Commonwealth Act No. 417, enacted on May 22, 1939, amends the Revised Penal Code to increase penalties for robbery and theft of mail matter. Specifically, robbery in uninhabited places or private buildings involving property valued over 250 pesos incurs harsher penalties if certain conditions, such as forced entry or the use of tools, are met. Additionally, the act stipulates that theft, particularly by domestic servants or involving specific items like coconuts or fish, will result in higher penalties, especially if the stolen property includes mail or large cattle. The law is effective immediately upon its approval.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- Commonwealth Act No. 417
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Statutes
- Subcategory
- Commonwealth Acts
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
May 22, 1939
COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 417
AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR ROBBERY OR THEFT OF MAIL MATTER, BY AMENDING ARTICLES THREE HUNDRED TWO, AND THREE HUNDRED TEN AS AMENDED, OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
SECTION 1. Article 302 of the Revised Penal Code is amended to read as follows:
"ART. 302. Robbery in an uninhabited place or in a private building. — Any robbery committed in an uninhabited place or in a building other than those mentioned in the first paragraph of article 299, if the value of the property taken exceeds 250 pesos, shall be punished by prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods provided that any of the following circumstances is present:
"1. If the entrance has been effected through any opening not intended for entrance or egress. TEacSA
"2. If any wall, roof, floor or outside door or window has been broken.
"3. If the entrance has been effected through the use of false keys, picklocks or other similar tools.
"4. If any door, wardrobe, chest, or any sealed or closed furniture or receptacle has been broken.
"5. If any closed or sealed receptacle, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, has been removed, even if the same be broken open elsewhere.
"When the value of the property taken does not exceed 250 pesos, the penalty next lower in degree shall be imposed.
"In the case specified in articles 294, 295, 297, 299, 300, and 302 of this Code, when the property taken is mail matter or large cattle, the offender shall suffer the penalties next higher in degree than those provided in said articles."
Article 310 of the same Code, as amended by Commonwealth Act Numbered Two hundred and seventy-three, is further amended to read as follows:
"ART. 310. Qualified theft. — The crime of theft shall be punished by the penalties next higher in degree than those respectively specified in the next preceding article, if committed by a domestic servant, or with grave abuse of confidence, or if the property stolen consists of coconuts or fish taken from a fishpond or fishery. The maximum period of the penalty prescribed in this article shall be imposed if the property stolen is mail matter or large cattle."
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on its approval.
Approved: May 22, 1939
Cite This Law
Increasing the Penalty for Robbery or Theft of Mail Matter, Commonwealth Act No. 417, May 22, 1939 (Philippines)
Increasing the Penalty for Robbery or Theft of Mail Matter, Commonwealth Act No. 417 (Phil. 1939)
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