Dear PAO,

Is there a law penalizing a person for taking or stealing items from a national museum? I was listening to our local radio, and this was somewhat discussed. I was, however, not able to listen to the topic completely. I am not sure if I heard it correctly, but is the penalty imposed only P500?

Esther

Dear Esther,

Crimes are punishable under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and other penal statutes. For one, the act of stealing a property belonging to the National Museum is indeed punishable under the RPC, particularly under Article 311 thereof:

'Art. 311. Theft of the property of the National Library and National Museum. - If the property stolen be any property of the National Library or the National Museum, the penalty shall be arresto mayor or a fine ranging from 200 to 500 pesos, or both, unless a higher penalty should be provided under other provisions of this Code, in which case, the offender shall be punished by such higher penalty.'