Latest news with #RevisedPenalCode
GMA Network
17-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Leonen calls for review of criminal laws
Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen has called for a review of the country's criminal laws, noting that 'outdated' crimes are still included. According to a statement, Leonen stressed that the Revised Penal Code still includes crimes such as dueling, unjust vexation, and malicious mischief. Leonen said this must be decriminalized. He also said that some penalties do not match the seriousness of the crime as he pushed for a transformative justice system that is rooted in empathy and compassion. He noted that those often caught breaking the law are the poor, who lead different lives from the privileged. 'We must offer them avenues such as restorative justice, not only to provide them with opportunities to exercise their rights, but especially to offer them a genuine chance at reform,' said Leonenn. 'We should proceed with the assumption that every human person has dignity and can live meaningful lives,' he added. He also urged the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to implement reforms to reduce the suffering of individuals within the justice system. Meanwhile, Leonen stressed the importance of using the law to protect dignity and promote justice. 'Our focus should not be on unquestionably upholding established doctrines and systems, but in using the law to uphold human dignity and social justice in all phases,' he said. Leonen issued this during his speech at the Restorative Justice Training and Conference 2025 held on July 9 in Quezon City. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
Suspect linked to killing of House employee nabbed in QC—NCRPO
A suspect linked to the killing of an employee of the House of Representatives was arrested in Quezon City over illegal possession of firearms and explosives as well as falsification of identity, the National Capital Region Police Office said Wednesday. In a statement, the NCRPO said that on Tuesday, authorities arrested two suspects in an entrapment operation after receiving information from a concerned citizen. 'The male suspect, who was later found to be using falsified identification, is now being linked to a high-profile shooting incident involving the death of a top-ranking employee of the House of Representatives,' the NCRPO said. Confiscated from the male suspect were the following: a Colt MK-4 cal. 9mm pistol loaded with six live rounds an MK2 fragmentation hand grenade multiple fake IDs under the name 'Glenn Balbido Robredo' a security license driver's license Grab ID photographs showing him in security guard uniform. Meanwhile, recovered from the female suspect were the marked money used in the transaction, a white envelope, and several personal IDs. 'Authorities later confirmed that the firearm sold was the subject of the buy-bust and verified the male suspect's direct involvement in the fatal shooting, further emphasizing the severity of his criminal background,' the NCRPO said. The two were arrested after they failed to present legal documents for the seized firearm and grenade. The explosive was turned over to an explosive ordnance disposal unit for technical investigation. They are facing charges for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Revised Penal Code. 'Through solid intelligence work and determined field action, we were able to apprehend the suspects who posed a serious threat to public safety,' NCRPO chief Police Major General Anthony Aberin said. 'The arrest will also put into motion the wheel of justice for the murder victim and his family,' said PMGen Aberin,' he added. On June 17, Mauricio 'Morrie' Pulhin, chief of the Technical Staff of the House committee on ways and means, was shot while attending the birthday celebration of his daughter. He was brought to a hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. Persons of interest in Pulhin's killing have been identified, according to the police. A special investigation task group has been formed to focus on the case. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd vows to cooperate with Ombudsman amid order to file graft charges vs. Briones, Lao
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday said it is fully committed to cooperating with the Office of the Ombudsman after its order to file graft and falsification charges against former Education Secretary Leonor Briones, former Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lao, and several former education officials regarding the 'pricey' P2.4 billion laptops purchased in 2020. 'DepEd reiterates its full commitment to cooperate with the Office of the Ombudsman in the expeditious and fair resolution of this case. The Department is ready to provide all necessary documents, information, and other forms of assistance to ensure accountability and to protect the interest of the public,' DepEd said in a statement. DepEd said it was already informed of the filing of an Information for Violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Falsification by Public Officers under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), and Perjury under Article 183 of the RPC against several of its former officials. 'Officials subject of the charges no longer hold any position in or maintain any connection with the Department,' DepEd said. The laptops, priced at P58,300 each with an outdated Celeron processor, were purchased by the Department of Education for the implementation of distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It was deemed 'pricey' by the Commission on Audit. 'The new bidding parameters, i.e. lower quantity and higher unit price, were reflected in the bidding documents and was used in the bidding process... These parameters facilitated the overprice and the consequent undue injury and gross disadvantage to the government,' the Ombudsman said. The Ombudsman said that the approved series of requests for extensions to deliver the laptops, requests to change payment terms, and other adjustments to the contract terms and conditions which, taken together, 'betray an unusually deferential treatment and favor towards the Joint Venture consortium.' The Ombudsman added that the DepEd supply officers often received feedback stating that the computers they had purchased were: overpriced vis-à-vis the outdated or inferior technical specifications; unable to handle multiple applications at the same time; defective or fast-draining battery; quite slow to boot-up; and immediately returned by the recipients, who opted to wait for better laptop models. —Jamil Santos/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- GMA Network
Alleged rebel leader with multiple warrants nabbed
An alleged leader of the New People's Army (NPA) with multiple arrest warrants was arrested in Barangay Bunyasan, Malimono, Surigao del Norte. According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the suspect identified as alias 'Luca' was arrested by virtue of seven warrants for murder, attempted murder, frustrated murder, homicide, multiple attempted murder, attempted homicide, homicide, and malicious mischief under the Revised Penal Code. The warrants were issued by the courts in Surigao City, Agusan del Norte, and Cabadbaran City. CIDG said the suspect allegedly served as the vice squad leader of Platoon 1, Squad 2 of the NPA and a member of the Guerilla Front 16C, Southern Regional Sentro de Grabidad Westland. He was also tagged as number five most wanted person in Caraga. 'With his arrest, we significantly helped the victims attain the justice they all deserved; and we prevented the possible crimes he will commit and the terror he may sow may sow in the community,' CIDG Acting Director, Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz, said.
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- GMA Network
2 men arrested in Las Piñas for selling fake money online
Two suspects were arrested in Las Piñas City for selling fake money online, the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) of the Philippine National Police said Friday. In a statement, the ACG said the suspects, identified as 18-year-old 'Usa' and 30-year-old 'Agila,' were arrested in an entrapment operation on Wednesday. This was in response to the report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regarding the online sale of counterfeit banknotes. The Northern District Anti-Cybercrime Team conducted cyber patrolling and caught a social media post by one of the suspects offering a counterfeit P1,000 bill for only P150. Seized from the suspects were 150 fake P1,000 bills sold for P22,500 during the operation. The suspects are facing charges for illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. 'The sale of counterfeit currency online undermines our financial system and exploits the trust of unsuspecting citizens. Let this serve as a warning to those attempting to use the internet to circulate fake money,' ACG chief Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said. 'The PNP ACG is actively monitoring these platforms and will act decisively to bring offenders to justice as we remain committed to protecting the public and preserving the integrity of our currency,' he added. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
