Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is pushing for heavier penalties against those who induce or force another person to commit perjury, following the recent recantations of “coached witness” Orly Guteza and three of the “Maleta Boys” regarding their statements claiming to have delivered cash in suitcases to certain personalities.
Lacson also sought stricter enforcement of the current Anti-Perjury Law to curb the “lucrative business” of testimonies and recantations, especially those targeting political personalities.
“Orly Guteza’s recantation should not end there. Republic Act No. 11594 which we passed in October 2021 has increased the penalty for perjury to ‘prision mayor’. Further, a person who induces another to commit perjury is also liable for being a principal by inducement,” he said in a post on X.
“I will file a bill imposing heavier penalty and fine for ‘subornation of perjury’ or, if a person induces or forces another to commit perjury,” he added.
He said the person directly offended or prejudiced by the perjury may file such a complaint against those who induced someone else to commit perjury.
“(T)he person directly offended or prejudiced by the perjury may file. In Guteza’s case – ex Speaker Romualdez. If not him for some reason, any public officer charged with enforcing the law,” he said.
On Thursday, Lacson said Guteza’s backtracking was “not surprising,” after he observed Sen. Rodante Marcoleta “coaching” Guteza, or prompting him on what to say in Guteza’s affidavit, during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing chaired by Lacson on Sept. 23 last year.
In recanting his earlier statement, Guteza also claimed that Marcoleta and ex-Rep. Michael Defensor had him “testify” in exchange for money and scholarships for his children.
In the meantime, Lacson underscored the need to strictly implement Republic Act 11594, which imposes heavier prison terms and fines on those who commit perjury.
He noted the backtracking by Guteza and some of the “Maleta boys” had become “a dime a dozen,” and indicate such a practice has become a profitable venture.
“While figuratively, testimonies and recantations are ‘one dime a dozen’ these days, ironically, they have become a lucrative business especially when targeting politicians,” he noted.
Lacson added that he and his fellow lawmakers already increased the penalty for the crime of perjury with the enactment of RA 11594 as a result of the extra-judicial killing (EJK) hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs in 2021, but “apparently its implementation is wanting.”
Under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by RA 11594, false testimony is punishable with prision mayor in its minimum period (six years and one day to eight years), and a fine of P1 million.
If the offender is a public officer or employee, the maximum jail time is increased to 12 years, along with perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in government.
Lacson also pointed out that aside from the heavier penalties in the law, the recantations may not necessarily weaken the cases against those implicated.
