SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros has filed a proposed measure that seeks to define the crime of “subornation of perjury” and impose the appropriate punishment.
Senate Bill No. 2512, filed last December 12, will introduce amendments to the Revised Penal Code by adding Article 184-A, which will be known as the Subornation of Perjury.
In the bill’s explanatory note, Hontiveros said the Revised Penal Code “punishes false testimony in court proceedings, in civil cases, in solen affirmation, as well as knowingly offering false testimony in evidence” but does not punish subornation of perjury, which is the crime of “procuring, persuading, or coercing another person to commit perjury.”
“Subornation of perjury, particularly when committed by public officers and those in power, strikes at the core of justice by undermining the truth-seeking function of the legal system. This bill seeks to preserve the integrity of court proceedings and maintain public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the legal process by sending a strong message that dishonesty and corruption within the legal system will not be tolerated,” Hontiveros said in the bill’s explanatory note.
She said increased penalties should be imposed when public officers are involved in the coercion and manipulation of witnesses to give false testimonies since they have “potential for greater harm.”
The proposed Article 148-A said any person who procures, coerces, or induces another to commit any perjury shall be punished as guilty of false testimony “and shall suffer the respective penalties provided in this section as if they themselves had given the false testimony.”
When the person responsible for the commission of this crime is a public officer or employee, or if the testimony results in the institution of a criminal action against another, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period, provided further that the offender shall also suffer a fine not exceeding P1 million and perpetual disqualification from holding an elective or appointive position in government.
“Provided, finally, that prosecution or conviction under this provision shall be without prejudice to a separate action for damages,” she said.
The bill is pending at the committee level.
Hontiveros filed the proposed measure amid the recantation of several witnesses against former Sen. Leila de Lima, most of whom confessed that they were either forced or coerced by former government officials in the Duterte administration to falsely testify against the former senator.
De Lima is a staunch critic of former President Duterte.
