Press Release
August 28, 2013

SEN. TG GUINGONA INTRODUCES BILL PROVIDING STRICTER PENALTIES VS GRAFT & CORRUPTION

Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III has filed a bill amending Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, providing for stricter penalties against those found committing graft and corruption.

Senate Bill No. 1086 seeks to ensure the right of the State to recover properties acquired by a public officer shall not be barred by prescription, laches or estoppel. It also proposes to amend the prescription of offenses. Under the proposed bill, all offenses punishable under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act shall prescribe in 20 years (currently 15 years).

"There is a need to fortify our laws against graft and corrupt practices. We need a concerted effort in battling graft and corruption. The issue of accountability among public officials as well as private individuals has reached a boiling point. We must amend our laws to correspond to the needs of the times," Sen. Guingona said.

Under the proposed measure those found guilty of committing graft shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 12 to 20 years. Under the current law, those guilty will be imprisoned from six to 15 years.

"While we work on the speedy resolution of cases in our country, we must not allow prescription of cases to stop us from recovering what is unlawfully acquired. If what was stolen is from the people, then it must be returned to the people," Sen. Guingona said.

This bill is a product of the Blue Ribbon Committee investigation on the Philippine National Police (PNP) helicopters deal during the 15th Congress.

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