Executive Order No. 272

WHEREAS, in the interest of public safety and order, it is imperative that a reasonable and sufficient period be given within which to conduct adequate and thorough investigation of persons detained for some legal grounds;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:

Article one hundred twenty-five of Act Numbered Three Thousand Eight Hundred Fifteen (Act No. 3815) otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

• Article 125  Delay in the delivery of detained persons to the proper judicial authorities.

  The penalties provided in the next preceding article shall be imposed upon the public officer or employee who shall detain any person for some legal ground and shall fail to deliver such person to the proper judicial authorities within the period of twelve (12) hours, for crimes or offenses punishable by light penalties, or their equivalent; eighteen (18) hours, for crimes or offenses punishable by correctional penalties, or their equivalent, and thirty-six (36) hours, for crimes or offenses punishable by afflictive or capital penalties, or their equivalent.

  • In every case, the person detained shall be informed of the cause of his detention and shall be allowed, upon his request, to communicate and confer at any time with his attorney or counsel.

All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

This Executive Order shall take effect thirty (30) days following its publication in the Official Gazette.