Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Friday November 5 hailed the signing into law of Republic Act (RA) 11594 that raised the penalty for perjury, or the act of making untruthful statements under oath.

Sotto, who is the principal author of Senate Bill 1354, said: “I would like to thank President Duterte for acknowledging the efforts of lawmakers who have worked hard to give more teeth to the perjury provision in the Revised Penal Code.’’

‘’With this new law, the public is assured that truth will prevail at all times and will always be the guiding principle of all public officials,’’ he added.

“Makaaasa po ang taumbayan na tanging katotohanan lamang ang mananaig at mangingibabaw sa lahat ng transkasyon ng ating pamahalaan, lalo pa ngayon na mas mabigat na ang parusa kontra sa sinuman, higit na ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno, na mahuhuling nagsisinungaling under oath (The people is assured that only the truth shall prevail in all government transactions, particularly now that the penalty against anyone, particularly government officials, has been increased and slapped on those lying under oath). ” Sotto added.

RA 11594 is a consolidation of Senate Bill 1354 and House Bill 8268. The Senate version was passed on August 23 while the version of the House of Representatives was approved on August 31.

The new law, which was signed by President Duterte on October 29, amends Articles 183 and 184 of the Revised Penal Code (Republic Act 3815) and raises the jail term to six years to 12 years. The detention period under the old law ranged from four months to two years.

Also under RA 11594, if the offender is a public official or worker, the imprisonment will be imposed in its maximum period, along with a fine of P1 million and perpetual disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in government.

The new law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a national daily.