President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the 8th East Asia Conference (EAC) on Competition Law and Policy at the Mindanao Ballroom, Sofitel Philippine Plaza in CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on Wednesday (August 28, 2013). EAC is an open event for key high-level officials of competition agencies in East Asia. EAC participants exchange ideas, views and experiences on emerging regional competition issues; and undertake to strengthen understanding and cooperation with regard to the implementation of competition policy and law across the region. In photo are Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) chairman Kazuyuki Sugimoto. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday announced that the Criminal Code Committee (CCC) has completed Book 2 of the new Criminal Code on Crimes and Penalties after three years of drafting work.
The CCC was established on April 20, 2011 to study, assess and consolidate a simple, updated and modern criminal law to provide clarity in law enforcement and to improve the administration of justice.
This was geared towards increased access to justice especially for the marginalized sectors.
“We responded to the call of the President (Benigno S. Aquino III) to undertake a codification project and for the first time in our history, we have a draft criminal code developed by justice stakeholders that is reflective of our societal norms,” Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima said on Tuesday.
“We shall now endorse the final product of both houses of Congress for their consideration to realize its passage as the new Criminal Code of the Philippines on or before 2016,” De Lima added.
The key features of Book 2 include:
- structured based on central themes with common features;
- rationalized penal provisions by categorizing into three major titles, namely, Crimes against Persons, Crimes against Property and Crimes against the State;
- modernized archaic provisions by integrating and consolidating several penal laws which refer to the same criminal act;
- delisted some outdated penal provisions;
- inclusion of trans-border crimes; and
- penal provisions are generally conduct-based.
“We thank the Secretary for her support and to all the member agencies and offices of the Committee that contributed and participated in this body of collaborative work,” Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy said.
Sy heads the CCC. (MNS)