MANILA – Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is seeking stiffer penalties for individuals who induce or force others to commit perjury, citing the recent recantations of former witnesses in cases involving alleged cash deliveries to political personalities.

Lacson said he would file a bill increasing the penalties for subornation of perjury, which refers to inducing or forcing another person to give false testimony.

The senator’s proposal comes after former Marine T/Sgt. Orly Guteza and three of the so-called “Maleta Boys” withdrew previous statements alleging the delivery of cash in suitcases to certain 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,” Lacson 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.

Lacson said the person directly prejudiced by the alleged perjury could file a complaint against the individual who induced another person to give false testimony.

“(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.

Lacson also called for stricter implementation of Republic Act No. 11594, which amended the Revised Penal Code and increased the penalties for perjury.

He said the repeated reversals of testimonies suggested that giving and withdrawing statements had become a profitable activity, particularly when political figures are involved.

“While figuratively, testimonies and recantations are ‘one dime a dozen’ these days, ironically, they have become a lucrative business especially when targeting politicians,” Lacson said.

The senator said RA 11594 was enacted following Senate hearings on alleged extrajudicial killings conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs in 2021, but its implementation remained inadequate.

Under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by RA 11594, false testimony is punishable by prision mayor in its minimum period, or imprisonment ranging from six years and one day to eight years, along with a fine of P1 million.

When the offender is a public officer or employee, the maximum imprisonment is increased to 12 years, with perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective government position.

Lacson said the recent recantations should also be examined in the context of how the original testimonies were obtained.

He said Guteza’s reversal was not unexpected after he observed Sen. Rodante Marcoleta allegedly coaching the former Marine during a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing chaired by Lacson on Sept. 23 last year.

Guteza later alleged that Marcoleta and former Rep. Michael Defensor had made him testify in exchange for money and scholarships for his children.

Lacson nevertheless cautioned that witness recantations do not automatically undermine cases against individuals previously implicated.

He said the reversals should instead be subjected to scrutiny alongside other evidence available to investigators and prosecutors.