[Republic Act No.

10707]

AN ACT AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PROBATION
LAW OF 1976”, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 968, as amended, is hereby further amended to read
as follows:

“SEC. 4. Grant of Probation. — Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the trial court may, after it
shall have convicted and sentenced a defendant for a probationable penalty and upon application by
said defendant within the period for perfecting an appeal, suspend the execution of the sentence and
place the defendant on probation for such period and upon such terms and conditions as it may
deem best. No application for probation shall be entertained or granted if the defendant has
perfected the appeal from the judgment of conviction: Provided, That when a judgment of conviction
imposing a non-probationable penalty is appealed or reviewed, and such judgment is modified
through the imposition of a probationable penalty, the defendant shall be allowed to apply for
probation based on the modified decision before such decision becomes final. The application for
probation based on the modified decision shall be filed in the trial court where the judgment of
conviction imposing a non-probationable penalty was rendered, or in the trial court where such case
has since been re-raffled. In a case involving several defendants where some have taken further
appeal, the other defendants may apply for probation by submitting a written application and
attaching thereto a certified true copy of the judgment of conviction.

“The trial court shall, upon receipt of the application filed, suspend the execution of the sentence
imposed in the judgment.

“This notwithstanding, the accused shall lose the benefit of probation should he seek a review of the
modified decision which already imposes a probationable penalty.

“Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a term of imprisonment or a fine only. The
filing of the application shall be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal.

“An order granting or denying probation shall not be appealable.”

SEC. 2. Section 9 of the same Decree, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 9. Disqualified Offenders. — The benefits of this Decree shall not be extended to those:

“a. sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than six (6) years;

“b. convicted of any crime against the national security;

“c. who have previously been convicted by final judgment of an offense punished by imprisonment of
more than six (6) months and one (1) day and/or a fine of more than one thousand pesos
(P1,000.00);

“d. who have been once on probation under the provisions of this Decree; and

“e. who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive provisions of this Decree became
applicable pursuant to Section 33 hereof.”

SEC. 3. Section 16 of the same Decree, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 16. Termination of Probation. — After the period of probation and upon consideration of the
report and recommendation of the probation officer, the court may order the final discharge of the
probationer upon finding that he has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and
thereupon the case is deemed terminated.

“The final discharge of the probationer shall operate to restore to him all civil rights lost or
suspended as a result of his conviction and to totally extinguish his criminal liability as to the offense
for which probation was granted.

“The probationer and the probation officer shall each be furnished with a copy of such order.”

SEC. 4. Section 24 of the same Decree is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 24. Miscellaneous Powers of Regional, Provincial and City Probation Officers. — Regional,
Provincial or City Probation Officers shall have the authority within their territorial jurisdiction to
administer oaths and acknowledgments and to take depositions in connection with their duties and
functions under this Decree. They shall also have, with respect to probationers under their care, the
powers of a police officer. They shall be considered as persons in authority.”

SEC. 5. Section 27 of the same Decree is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 27. Field Assistants, Subordinate Personnel. – Regional, Provincial or City Probation Officers
shall be assisted by such field assistants and subordinate personnel as may be necessary to enable
them to carry out their duties effectively.”

SEC. 6. Section 28 of the same Decree is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 28. Volunteer Probation Assistants (VPAs). — To assist the Chief Probation and Parole Officers
in the supervised treatment program of the probationers, the Probation Administrator may appoint
citizens of good repute and probity, who have the willingness, aptitude, and capability to act as VPAs.

“VPAs shall not receive any regular compensation except for reasonable transportation and meal
allowances, as may be determined by the Probation Administrator, for services rendered as VPAs.

“They shall hold office for a two (2)-year term which may be renewed or recalled anytime for a just
cause. Their functions, qualifications, continuance in office and maximum case loads shall be further
prescribed under the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

“There shall be a reasonable number of VPAs in every regional, provincial, and city probation office.
In order to strengthen the functional relationship of VPAs and the Probation Administrator, the latter
shall encourage and support the former to organize themselves in the national, regional, provincial,
and city levels for effective utilization, coordination, and sustainability of the volunteer program.”

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the provisions hereof not
affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, or administrative orders, rules and regulations
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 9. Appropriations Clause. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act,
the Department of Justice shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 968 July 24, 1976

ESTABLISHING A PROBATION SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, one of the major goals of the government is to establish a more enlightened and humane
correctional systems that will promote the reformation of offenders and thereby reduce the incidence
of recidivism;

WHEREAS, the confinement of all offenders prisons and other institutions with rehabilitation
programs constitutes an onerous drain on the financial resources of the country; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to provide a less costly alternative to the imprisonment of offenders who
are likely to respond to individualized, community-based treatment programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the following:

Section 1. Title and Scope of the Decree. This Decree shall be known as the Probation Law of 1976. It
shall apply to all offenders except those entitled to the benefits under the provisions of Presidential
Decree numbered Six Hundred and three and similar laws.

Section 2. Purpose. This Decree shall be interpreted so as to:

(a) promote the correction and rehabilitation of an offender by providing him with
individualized treatment;

(b) provide an opportunity for the reformation of a penitent offender which might be less
probable if he were to serve a prison sentence; and

(c) prevent the commission of offenses.

Section 3. Meaning of Terms. As used in this Decree, the following shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, be construed thus:

(a) "Probation" is a disposition under which a defendant, after conviction and sentence, is
released subject to conditions imposed by the court and to the supervision of a probation
officer.

(b) "Probationer" means a person placed on probation.

(c) "Probation Officer" means one who investigates for the court a referral for probation or
supervises a probationer or both.

Section 4. Grant of Probation. Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the court may, after it shall have
convicted and sentenced a defendant and upon application at any time of said defendant, suspend the
execution of said sentence and place the defendant on probation for such period and upon such terms
and conditions as it may deem best.

Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a term of imprisonment or a fine only. An
application for probation shall be filed with the trial court, with notice to the appellate court if an
appeal has been taken from the sentence of conviction. The filing of the application shall be deemed a
waver of the right to appeal, or the automatic withdrawal of a pending appeal.

An order granting or denying probation shall not be appealable.

Section 5. Post-sentence Investigation. No person shall be placed on probation except upon prior
investigation by the probation officer and a determination by the court that the ends of justice and the
best interest of the public as well as that of the defendant will be served thereby.
Section 6. Form of Investigation Report. The investigation report to be submitted by the probation
officer under Section 5 hereof shall be in the form prescribed by the Probation Administrator and
approved by the Secretary of Justice.

Section 7. Period for Submission of Investigation Report. The probation officer shall submit to the court
the investigation report on a defendant not later than sixty days from receipt of the order of said court
to conduct the investigation. The court shall resolve the petition for probation not later than five days
after receipt of said report.

Pending submission of the investigation report and the resolution of the petition, the defendant may
be allowed on temporary liberty under his bail filed in the criminal case; Provided, That, in case where
no bail was filed or that the defendant is incapable of filing one, the court may allow the release of the
defendant on recognize the custody of a responsible member of the community who shall guarantee
his appearance whenever required by the court.

Section 8. Criteria for Placing an Offender on Probation. In determining whether an offender may be
placed on probation, the court shall consider all information relative, to the character, antecedents,
environment, mental and physical condition of the offender, and available institutional and
community resources. Probation shall be denied if the court finds that:

(a) the offender is in need of correctional treatment that can be provided most effectively by his
commitment to an institution; or

(b) there is undue risk that during the period of probation the offender will commit another
crime; or

(c) probation will depreciate the seriousness of the offense committed.

Section 9. Disqualified Offenders. The benefits of this Decree shall not be extended to those:

(a) sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than six years;

(b) convicted of any offense against the security of the State;

(c) who have previously been convicted by final judgment of an offense punished by
imprisonment of not less than one month and one day and/or a fine of not less than Two
Hundred Pesos;

(d) who have been once on probation under the provisions of this Decree; and

(e) who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive provisions of this Decree
became applicable pursuant to Section 33 hereof.

Section 10. Conditions of Probation. Every probation order issued by the court shall contain
conditions requiring that the probationer shall:

(a) present himself to the probation officer designated to undertake his supervision at such
place as may be specified in the order within seventy-two hours from receipt of said order;

(b) report to the probation officer at least once a month at such time and place as specified by
said officer.

The court may also require the probationer to:

(a) cooperate with a program of supervision;

(b) meet his family responsibilities;

 (c) devote himself to a specific employment and not to change said employment without the
prior written approval of the probation officer;

(d) undergo medical, psychological or psychiatric examination and treatment and enter and
remain in a specified institution, when required for that purpose;

(e) pursue a prescribed secular study or vocational training;

(f) attend or reside in a facility established for instruction, recreation or residence of persons
on probation;

(g) refrain from visiting houses of ill-repute;

(h) abstain from drinking intoxicating beverages to excess;

(i) permit to probation officer or an authorized social worker to visit his home and place or
work;

(j) reside at premises approved by it and not to change his residence without its prior written
approval; or

(k) satisfy any other condition related to the rehabilitation of the defendant and not unduly
restrictive of his liberty or incompatible with his freedom of conscience.

Section 11. Effectivity of Probation Order. A probation order shall take effect upon its issuance, at
which time the court shall inform the offender of the consequences thereof and explain that upon his
failure to comply with any of the conditions prescribed in the said order or his commission of another
offense, he shall serve the penalty imposed for the offense under which he was placed on probation.

Section 12. Modification of Condition of Probation. During the period of probation, the court may, upon
application of either the probationer or the probation officer, revise or modify the conditions or
period of probation. The court shall notify either the probationer or the probation officer of the filing
such an application so as to give both parties an opportunity to be heard thereon.

The court shall inform in writing the probation officer and the probationer of any change in the period
or conditions of probation.

Section 13. Control and Supervision of Probationer. The probationer and his probation program shall
be under the control of the court who placed him on probation subject to actual supervision and
visitation by a probation officer.

Whenever a probationer is permitted to reside in a place under the jurisdiction of another court,
control over him shall be transferred to the Executive Judge of the Court of First Instance of that place,
and in such a case, a copy of the probation order, the investigation report and other pertinent records
shall be furnished said Executive Judge. Thereafter, the Executive Judge to whom jurisdiction over the
probationer is transferred shall have the power with respect to him that was previously possessed by
the court which granted the probation.

Section 14. Period of Probation.

(a) The period of probation of a defendant sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more
than one year shall not exceed two years, and in all other cases, said period shall not exceed six
years.

(b) When the sentence imposes a fine only and the offender is made to serve subsidiary
imprisonment in case of insolvency, the period of probation shall not be less than nor to be
more than twice the total number of days of subsidiary imprisonment as computed at the rate
established, in Article thirty-nine of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
Section 15. Arrest of Probationer; Subsequent Disposition. At any time during probation, the court may
issue a warrant for the arrest of a probationer for violation of any of the conditions of probation. The
probationer, once arrested and detained, shall immediately be brought before the court for a hearing,
which may be informal and summary, of the violation charged. The defendant may be admitted to bail
pending such hearing. In such a case, the provisions regarding release on bail of persons charged with
a crime shall be applicable to probationers arrested under this provision. If the violation is
established, the court may revoke or continue his probation and modify the conditions thereof. If
revoked, the court shall order the probationer to serve the sentence originally imposed. An order
revoking the grant of probation or modifying the terms and conditions thereof shall not be appealable.

Section 16. Termination of Probation. After the period of probation and upon consideration of the
report and recommendation of the probation officer, the court may order the final discharge of the
probationer upon finding that he has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and thereupon
the case is deemed terminated.

The final discharge of the probationer shall operate to restore to him all civil rights lost or suspend as
a result of his conviction and to fully discharge his liability for any fine imposed as to the offense for
which probation was granted.

The probationer and the probation officer shall each be furnished with a copy of such order.

Section 17. Confidentiality of Records. The investigation report and the supervision history of a
probationer obtained under this Decree shall be privileged and shall not be disclosed directly or
indirectly to anyone other than the Probation Administration or the court concerned, except that the
court, in its discretion, may permit the probationer of his attorney to inspect the aforementioned
documents or parts thereof whenever the best interest of the probationer make such disclosure
desirable or helpful: Provided, Further, That, any government office or agency engaged in the
correction or rehabilitation of offenders may, if necessary, obtain copies of said documents for its
official use from the proper court or the Administration.

Section 18. The Probation Administration. There is hereby created under the Department of Justice an
agency to be known as the Probation Administration herein referred to as the Administration, which
shall exercise general supervision over all probationers.

The Administration shall have such staff, operating units and personnel as may be necessary for the
proper execution of its functions.

Section 19. Probation Administration. The Administration shall be headed by the Probation
Administrator, hereinafter referred to as the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President
of the Philippines. He shall hold office during good behavior and shall not be removed except for
cause.

The Administrator shall receive an annual salary of at least forty thousand pesos. His powers and
duties shall be to:

(a) act as the executive officer of the Administration;

(b) exercise supervision and control over all probation officers;

(c) make annual reports to the Secretary of Justice, in such form as the latter may prescribe,
concerning the operation, administration and improvement of the probation system;

(d) promulgate, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Justice, the necessary rules relative
to the methods and procedures of the probation process;

(e) recommend to the Secretary of Justice the appointment of the subordinate personnel of his
Administration and other offices established in this Decree; and
 (f) generally, perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be necessary or incidental
to achieve the objectives of this Decree.

Section 20. Assistant Probation Administrator. There shall be an Assistant Probation Administrator
who shall assist the Administrator perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the latter and as
may be provided by law. In the absence of the Administrator, he shall act as head of the
Administration.

He shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and shall receive an annual salary of at least
thirty-six thousand pesos.

Section 21. Qualifications of the Administrator and Assistant Probation Administrator. To be eligible for
Appointment as Administrator or Assistant Probation Administrator, a person must be at least thirty-
five years of age, holder of a master's degree or its equivalent in either criminology, social work,
corrections, penology, psychology, sociology, public administration, law, police science, police
administration, or related fields, and should have at least five years of supervisory experience, or be a
member of the Philippine Bar with at least seven years of supervisory experience.

Section 22. Regional Office; Regional Probation Officer. The Administration shall have regional offices
organized in accordance with the field service area patterns established under the Integrated
Reorganization Plan.

Such regional offices shall be headed by a Regional Probation Officer who shall be appointed by
President of the Philippines in accordance with the Integrated Reorganization Plan and upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of Justice.

The Regional Probation Officer shall exercise supervision and control over all probation officer within
his jurisdiction and such duties as may assigned to him by the Administrator. He shall have an annual
salary of at least twenty-four thousand pesos.

He shall, whenever necessary, be assisted by an Assistant Regional Probation Officer who shall also be
appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, with
an annual salary of at least twenty thousand pesos.

Section 23. Provincial and City Probation Officers. There shall be at least one probation officer in each
province and city who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Justice upon recommendation of the
Administrator and in accordance with civil service law and rules.

The Provincial or City Probation Officer shall receive an annual salary of at least eighteen thousand
four hundred pesos.

His duties shall be to:

(a) investigate all persons referred to him for investigation by the proper court or the
Administrator;

(b) instruct all probationers under his supervision of that of the probation aide on the terms
and conditions of their probations;

(c) keep himself informed of the conduct and condition of probationers under his charge and
use all suitable methods to bring about an improvement in their conduct and conditions;

(d) maintain a detailed record of his work and submit such written reports as may be required
by the Administration or the court having jurisdiction over the probationer under his
supervision;

(e) prepare a list of qualified residents of the province or city where he is assigned who are
willing to act as probation aides;
 (f) supervise the training of probation aides and oversee the latter's supervision of
probationers;

(g) exercise supervision and control over all field assistants, probation aides and other
personnel; and

(h) perform such duties as may be assigned by the court or the Administration.

Section 24. Miscellaneous Powers of Provincial and City Probation Officers. Provincial or City
Probation Officers shall have the authority within their territorial jurisdiction to administer oaths and
acknowledgments and to take depositions in connection with their duties and functions under this
Decree. They shall also have, with respect to probationers under their care, the powers of police
officer.

Section 25. Qualifications of Regional, Assistant Regional, Provincial, and City Probation Officers. No
person shall be appointed Regional or Assistant Regional or Provincial or City Probation Officer unless
he possesses at least a bachelor's degree with a major in social work, sociology, psychology,
criminology, penology, corrections, police science, administration, or related fields and has at least
three years of experience in work requiring any of the abovementioned disciplines, or is a member of
the Philippine Bar with at least three years of supervisory experience.

Whenever practicable, the Provincial or City Probation Officer shall be appointed from among
qualified residents of the province or city where he will be assigned to work.

Section 26. Organization. Within twelve months from the approval of this Decree, the Secretary of
Justice shall organize the administrative structure of the Administration and the other agencies
created herein. During said period, he shall also determine the staffing patterns of the regional,
provincial and city probation offices with the end in view of achieving maximum efficiency and
economy in the operations of the probation system.

Section 27. Field Assistants, Subordinate Personnel, Provincial or City Probation Officers shall be
assisted by such field assistants and subordinate personnel as may be necessary to enable them to
carry out their duties effectively.

Section 28. Probation Aides. To assist the Provincial or City Probation Officers in the supervision of
probationers, the Probation Administrator may appoint citizens of good repute and probity to act as
probation aides.

Probation Aides shall not receive any regular compensation for services except for reasonable travel
allowance. They shall hold office for such period as may be determined by the Probation
Administrator. Their qualifications and maximum case loads shall be provided in the rules
promulgated pursuant to this Decree.

Section 29. Violation of Confidential Nature of Probation Records. The penalty of imprisonment
ranging from six months and one day to six years and a fine ranging from hundred to six thousand
pesos shall be imposed upon any person who violates Section 17 hereof.

Section 30. Appropriations. There is hereby authorized the appropriation of the sum of Six Million
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos or so much as may be necessary, out of any funds in the National
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the purposes of this Decree. Thereafter, the amount
of at least Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos or so much as may be necessary shall be included
in the annual appropriations of the national government.

Section 31. Repealing Clause. All provisions of existing laws, orders and regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 32. Separability of Provisions. If any part, section or provision of this Decree shall be held
invalid or unconstitutional, no other parts, sections or provisions hereof shall be affected thereby.
Section 33. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect upon its approval: Provided, However, That, the
application of its substantive provisions concerning the grant of probation shall only take effect twelve
months after the certification by the Secretary of Justice to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that
the administrative structure of the Probation Administration and of the other agencies has been
organized.

ACT NO. 4103

(As Amended by Act No. 4225 and Republic Act No. 4203 [June 19, 1965]

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AN INDETERMINATE SENTENCE AND PAROLE FOR ALL PERSONS
CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES BY THE COURTS OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; TO CREATE A
BOARD OF INDETERMINATE SENTENCE AND TO PROVIDE FUNDS THEREFOR; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

Section 1. Hereafter, in imposing a prison sentence for an offense punished by the Revised Penal Code,
or its amendments, the court shall sentence the accused to an indeterminate sentence the maximum
term of which shall be that which, in view of the attending circumstances, could be properly imposed
under the rules of the said Code, and the minimum which shall be within the range of the penalty next
lower to that prescribed by the Code for the offense; and if the offense is punished by any other law,
the court shall sentence the accused to an indeterminate sentence, the maximum term of which shall
not exceed the maximum fixed by said law and the minimum shall not be less than the minimum term
prescribed by the same.

Sec. 2. This Act shall not apply to persons convicted of offenses punished with death penalty or life-
imprisonment; to those convicted of treason, conspiracy or proposal to commit treason; to those
convicted of misprision of treason, rebellion, sedition or espionage; to those convicted of piracy; to
those who are habitual delinquents; to those who have escaped from confinement or evaded sentence;
to those who having been granted conditional pardon by the Chief Executive shall have violated the
terms thereof; to those whose maximum term of imprisonment does not exceed one year, not to those
already sentenced by final judgment at the time of approval of this Act, except as provided in Section 5
hereof. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 3. There is hereby created a Board of Pardons and Parole to be composed of the Secretary of
Justice who shall be its Chairman, and four members to be appointed by the President, with the
consent of the Commission on Appointments who shall hold office for a term of six years: Provided,
That one member of the board shall be a trained sociologist, one a clergyman or educator, one
psychiatrist unless a trained psychiatrist be employed by the board, and the other members shall be
persons qualified for such work by training and experience. At least one member of the board shall be
a woman. Of the members of the present board, two shall be designated by the President to continue
until December thirty, nineteen hundred and sixty-six and the other two shall continue until
December thirty, nineteen hundred and sixty-nine. In case of any vacancy in the membership of the
Board, a successor may be appointed to serve only for the unexpired portion of the term of the
respective members. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 4. The Board of Pardons and Parole is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for carrying out its functions and duties. The Board is empowered to call upon any bureau,
office, branch, subdivision, agency or instrumentality of the Government for such assistance as it may
need in connection with the performance of its functions. A majority of all the members shall
constitute a quorum and a majority vote shall be necessary to arrive at a decision. Any dissent from
the majority opinion shall be reduced to writing and filed with the records of the proceedings. Each
member of the Board, including the Chairman and the Executive Officer, shall be entitled to receive as
compensation fifty pesos for each meeting actually attended by him, notwithstanding the provisions of
Section two hundred and fifty-nine of the Revised Administrative Code, and in addition thereto,
reimbursement of actual and necessary traveling expenses incurred in the performance of duties:
Provided, however, That the Board meetings will not be more than three times a week. chan robles
virtual law library

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Board of Indeterminate Sentence to look into the physical, mental and
moral record of the prisoners who shall be eligible to parole and to determine the proper time of
release of such prisoners. Whenever any prisoner shall have served the minimum penalty imposed on
him, and it shall appear to the Board of Indeterminate Sentence, from the reports of the prisoner's
work and conduct which may be received in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed, and
from the study and investigation made by the Board itself, that such prisoner is fitted by his training
for release, that there is a reasonable probability that such prisoner will live and remain at liberty
without violating the law, and that such release will not be incompatible with the welfare of society,
said Board of Indeterminate Sentence may, in its discretion, and in accordance with the rules and
regulations adopted hereunder, authorize the release of such prisoner on parole, upon such terms and
conditions as are herein prescribed and as may be prescribed by the Board. The said Board of
Indeterminate Sentence shall also examine the records and status of prisoners who shall have been
convicted of any offense other than those named in Section 2 hereof, and have been sentenced for
more than one year by final judgment prior to the date on which this Act shall take effect, and shall
make recommendation in all such cases to the Governor-General with regard to the parole of such
prisoners as they shall deem qualified for parole as herein provided, after they shall have served a
period of imprisonment not less than the minimum period for which they might have been sentenced
under this Act for the same offense. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 6. Every prisoner released from confinement on parole by virtue of this Act shall, at such times
and in such manner as may be required by the conditions of his parole, as may be designated by the
said Board for such purpose, report personally to such government officials or other parole officers
hereafter appointed by the Board of Indeterminate Sentence for a period of surveillance equivalent to
the remaining portion of the maximum sentence imposed upon him or until final release and
discharge by the Board of Indeterminate Sentence as herein provided. The officials so designated shall
keep such records and make such reports and perform such other duties hereunder as may be
required by said Board. The limits of residence of such paroled prisoner during his parole may be
fixed and from time to time changed by the said Board in its discretion. If during the period of
surveillance such paroled prisoner shall show himself to be a law-abiding citizen and shall not violate
any of the laws of the Philippine Islands, the Board of Indeterminate Sentence may issue a final
certificate of release in his favor, which shall entitle him to final release and discharge. chan robles
virtual law library

Sec. 7. The Board shall file with the court which passed judgment on the case, and with the Chief of
Constabulary, a certified copy of each order of conditional or final release and discharge issued in
accordance with the provisions of the next preceding two sections.

Sec. 8. Whenever any prisoner released on parole by virtue of this Act shall, during the period of
surveillance, violate any of the conditions of his parole, the Board of Indeterminate Sentence may
issue an order for his re-arrest which may be served in any part of the Philippine Islands by any police
officer. In such case the prisoner so re-arrested shall serve the remaining unexpired portion of the
maximum sentence for which he was originally committed to prison, unless the Board of
Indeterminate Sentence shall, in its discretion, grant a new parole to the said prisoner. chan robles
virtual law library
Sec. 9. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impair or interfere with the powers of the Governor-
General as set forth in Section 64(i) of the Revised Administrative Code or the Act of Congress
approved August 29, 1916 entitled "An Act to declare the purpose of the people of the United States as
to the future political status of the people of the Philippine Islands, and to provide a more autonomous
government for those Islands." chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 10. Whenever any prisoner shall be released on parole hereunder he shall be entitled to receive
the benefits provided in Section 1751 of the Revised Administrative Code.

Act No. 4225

Section 1
Section 1 of Act Numbered Four thousand one hundred three is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 1.Hereafter, in imposing a prison sentence for an offense punished by the Revised Penal
Code, or its amendments, the court shall sentence the accused to an indeterminate sentence the
maximum term of which shall be that which, in view of the attending circumstances, could be
properly imposed under the rules of the said Code, and to a minimum which shall be within the
range of the penalty next lower to that prescribed by the Code for the offense; and if the offense is
punished by any other law, the court shall sentence the accused to an indeterminate sentence, the
maximum term of which shall not exceed the maximum fixed by said law and the minimum shall
not be less than the minimum term prescribed by the same."
Section 2
Section 2 of Act Numbered Four thousand one hundred three is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 2.This Act shall not apply to persons convicted of offenses punished with death penalty or
life-imprisonment; to those convicted of treason, conspiracy or proposal to commit treason; to
those convicted of misprision of treason, rebellion, sedition or espionage; to those convicted of
piracy; to those who are habitual delinquents; to those who have escaped from confinement or
evaded sentence; to those who having been granted conditional pardon by the Chief Executive shall
have violated the terms thereof; to those whose maximum term of imprisonment does not exceed
one year, nor to those already sentenced by final judgment at the time of approval of this Act,
except as provided in Section 5 hereof."
Section 3
Section 8 of Act Numbered Four thousand one hundred three is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 8.Whenever any prisoner released on parole by virtue of this Act shall, during the period of
surveillance, violate any of the conditions of his parole, the Board of Indeterminate Sentence may
issue an order for his re-arrest which may be served in any part of the Philippine Islands by any
police officer. In such case the prisoner so re-arrested shall serve the remaining unexpired portion
of the maximum sentence for which he was originally committed to prison, unless the Board of
Indeterminate Sentence shall, in its discretion, grant a new parole to the said prisoner."
Section 4
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4203

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4203 - AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS THREE AND FOUR OF ACT NUMBERED
FOUR THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND THREE, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
INDETERMINATE SENTENCE LAW

Section 1. Sections three and four of Act Numbered Four Thousand one hundred and three, as
amended, are hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 3. There is hereby created a Board of Pardons and Parole to be composed of the Secretary of
Justice who shall be its chairman, and four members to be appointed by the President, with the
consent of the Commission on Appointments who shall hold office for a term of six years: provided,
that one member of the board shall be a trained sociologist, one a clergyman or educator, one
psychiatrist unless a trained psychiatrist be employed by the board, and the other members shall be
persons qualified for such work by training and experience. At least one member of the board shall be
a woman. Of the members of the present board, two shall be designated by the President to continue
until December thirty, nineteen hundred and sixty-six and the other two shall continue until
December thirty, nineteen hundred and sixty-nine. In case of any vacancy in the membership of the
Board, a successor may be appointed to serve only for the unexpired portion of the term of the
respective members."

"Sec. 4. The Board of Pardons and Parole is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for carrying out its functions and duties. The Board is empowered to call upon any bureau,
office, branch, subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the Government for such assistance as it may
need in connection with the performance of its functions. A majority of all the members shall
constitute a quorum and a majority vote shall be necessary to arrive at a decision. Any dissent from
the majority opinion shall be reduced to writing and filed with the records of the proceedings. Each
member of the Board, including the Chairman and the Executive Officer, shall be entitled to receive as
compensation fifty pesos for each meeting actually attended by him, notwithstanding the provisions of
section two hundred and fifty-nine of the Revised Administrative Code, and in addition thereto,
reimbursement of actual and necessary traveling expenses incurred in the performance of duties:
provided, however, that the Board meetings will not be more than three times a week.”

Sec. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.