Punishment of Persons Guilty of Infidelity in the Custody of Prisoners
Act No. 2364, enacted on February 28, 1914, addresses infidelity in the custody of prisoners in the Philippines. It penalizes individuals who commit specific acts defined in the Penal Code regarding the custody of prisoners detained for or convicted of crimes, imposing fines of up to two thousand pesos or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Additionally, offenders face disqualification from public office for up to ten years. Lesser penalties apply for violations of municipal ordinances, with fines not exceeding two hundred pesos and imprisonment up to six months, along with a two-year disqualification from public office. The act took effect immediately upon its passage.
February 28, 1914
ACT NO. 2364
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF PERSONS GUILTY OF INFIDELITY IN THE CUSTODY OF PRISONERS DETAINED FOR OR CONVICTED OF A CRIME PUNISHED BY THE LAWS ENACTED BY THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION OR BY THE PHILIPPINE LEGISLATURE
SECTION 1. Any person committing any of the acts defined and penalized in articles three hundred and fifty-eight and three hundred and fifty-nine of the Penal Code in force shall be deemed guilty of infidelity in the custody of prisoners detained for or convicted of a crime or misdemeanor punished under the laws enacted by the Philippine Commission or by the Philippine Legislature, and shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not to exceed two thousand pesos, or by imprisonment not to exceed two years, or by both, in the discretion of the court. In either of these two cases, the defendant shall, moreover, be sentenced to disqualification from holding public office, for a term not to exceed ten years: Provided, However, That in case such prisoner is detained for or convicted of a violation of a municipal ordinance, the penalty imposed upon the offender shall be a fine not to exceed two hundred pesos, or imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both, in the discretion of the court, and in any case he shall likewise be sentenced to disqualification to hold public office, for a period not to exceed two years. AScHCD
SECTION 2. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the same shall take effect on its passage, in accordance with section one of Act Numbered Nineteen hundred and forty-five of the Philippine Legislature.
ENACTED, February 28, 1914.