Lacson: Perpetual public office ban possible for inducing perjury

MANILA, Philippines — Public officials who orchestrate false testimonies by inducing others to commit perjury can be prosecuted as principal perpetrators and face a lifetime ban from holding government office, Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned yesterday.

The senator’s statement follows the recent recantation of former Marine Orly Guteza, who admitted to delivering a “coached” testimony during a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing in September 2025.

Guteza claimed that detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor induced him to lie under oath in exchange for cash and educational scholarships for his children.

Taking to social media, Lacson pointed out the serious criminal liabilities awaiting public servants who mastermind fabricated affidavits.

“SUBORNATION OF PERJURY: a public official who induces another person to commit perjury may be treated as a principal under the conspiracy theory (Art 8 RPC) in the commission of the crime and shall also suffer an accessory penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification,” Lacson said.

Lacson explained that under Article 8 of the Revised Penal Code, a conspiracy exists when two or more people come to an agreement to commit a felony and decide to execute it.

Furthermore, Article 17 explicitly classifies individuals who “directly force or induce others” to commit a crime as principal perpetrators.

Under the recently amended Republic Act 11594, perjury itself is a felony and a public offense punishable by prision mayor at its minimum.

If the principal offender is a public official, Article 25 of the RPC applies the afflictive penalty of perpetual or temporary absolute disqualification from public office.

Meanwhile, Rep. Leila de Lima maintained that forcing someone to give a false statement under oath should be a separate crime, recalling how she was a victim of false testimonies.