Officer breaking seal, Revised Penal Code

1. Concept

Article 227. Any public officer charged with the custody of papers or property sealed by proper authority, who shall break the seals or permit them to be broken, shall suffer the penalties of prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding 2,000 pesos. (Act No. 3815, Revised Penal Code)

a. Public officer

“Public officer” –refers to any person who, by direct provision of the law, popular election or appointment by competent authority, shall take part in the performance of public functions in the Government of the Philippine Islands, of shall perform in said Government or in any of its branches public duties as an employee, agent or subordinate official, of any rank or class, for purposes of Titles 1 to 6, Book 2 of the Revised Penal Code. (Article 203, Act No. 3815, Revised Penal Code)

2. Mode of commission

Elements of the offense:

1) The offender is a public officer;

2) He is charged with the custody of papers or property sealed by proper authority; and

3) He breaks the seals or permit them to be broken.

References

⦁ Title 7 – Crimes Committed by Public Officers, Book 2, Revised Penal Code

/Updated: December 30, 2022
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