Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno has introduced a legislative measure targeting masterminds who bribe, coerce, or convince individuals to give false testimonies.
Under House Bill (HB) 9851, subornation of perjury would be codified as a distinct criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code (Republic Act 3815).
The bill explicitly aims to punish individuals who coordinate or force the submission of falsified statements and untruthful affidavits during judicial or quasi-judicial trials.
Diokno emphasized that the draft law is crucial to stopping witness tampering and safeguarding legal institutions.
“By expressly defining and penalizing subornation of perjury as a separate crime, the State strengthens its ability to deter witness manipulation, protect the integrity of judicial proceedings, and hold accountable those who seek to corrupt the truth-finding process,” he said.
The lawmaker pointed out that the masterminds who orchestrate lies in court carry the same level of guilt as the ones giving the false statements.
“The individual who orchestrates, procures, or pressures another to provide false testimony is the principal architect of the deception and poses a direct threat to the administration of justice,” he said.
The proposed legislation outlines harsher consequences for state workers. Government employees and public officials proven guilty of subornation of perjury will receive the maximum jail time allowed by law.
Furthermore, they face a lifetime ban from entering any appointive or elective positions across all branches, instrumentalities, and corporate entities of the government.
Diokno noted that when public figures misuse their power to intimidate or influence witnesses, it inflicts widespread damage on society.
“When a public officer uses the powers or prestige of public office to induce another to testify falsely, the resulting harm extends beyond a particular case and undermines public trust in government institutions,” he explained.
“Our justice system can only work when people can testify freely and truthfully. By holding accountable those who pressure others to lie, we are able to restore public trust in our institutions and protect every Filipino’s right to fair justice,” he added.
The piece of legislation is a collaborative effort, co-authored by fellow Akbayan Party-list Representatives Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, alongside Dinagat Islands Lone District Representative Kaka Bag-ao.