‘For sure, this new law is a product of years of experience by the Senate in investigating cases of corruption in government, during which outright lies were peddled by resource persons and officials.’
FOR once, Senators Richard Gordon, Leila de Lima, Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and President Rodrigo Duterte are on the same page.
They all are in favor of increasing the penalty for perjury or making untruthful statements under oath, often before an investigating panel of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In fact, Duterte has signed Republic Act No. 11594, making perjury punishable with prision mayor in its minimum period of 6 years and 1 day to 8 years and medium period of 8 years and 1 day to 10 years.
If the offender is a public officer or employee, the law says he or she may face imprisonment in its maximum period of 12 years, be fined an amount not exceeding P1 million, and be perpetually and absolutely disqualified from holding any appointive or elective position in government.
Previously, perjury was punished with arresto mayor in its maximum period of four months and one day to six months and prision correccional in its minimum period of six months and one day to two years and four months. In exceedingly rapacious graft cases that run in the millions of pesos, this punishment may be considered just a slap in the wrist.
According to the new law, perjury is committed by an individual who “knowingly” makes untruthful statements under oath or “makes an affidavit, upon any material matter before a competent person authorized to administer an oath in cases in which the law so requires.”
Senator Gordon explained before that “the higher penalties would be sufficient to deter the commission of perjury and create a culture of truth telling,” and that “when you’re in government, there should be stiffer penalties.”
Senate President Sotto said with this law, the public is assured that truth will prevail at all times and will always be the guiding principle of all public officials.
For sure, this new law is a product of years of experience by the Senate in investigating cases of corruption in government, during which outright lies were peddled by resource persons and officials.
Now, the senators and the President are united in affirming that truth should be the basis of governance, and that it is time to end the culture of lying and impunity.
