Duterte signs law increasing penalties for perjury  

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has signed into law a measure increasing the penalties for perjury.  

Republic Act. No. 11594 increases the minimum jail time for persons who commit false testimony and perjury under oath to at least six years from the current six months. 

The law, signed last Friday, sets a medium period of eight years and one day to 10 years.  

Under the law, public workers and officials found guilty of perjury may be penalized with up to 12 years of imprisonment and a fine not more than P1 million. They may also face absolute disqualification from any government position.    

Perjury is committed by a person who “knowingly” makes untruthful statements under oath or “make an affidavit, upon any material matter before a competent person authorized to administer an oath in cases in which the law so requires.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza