ARTICLE 25

Classification
of
Penalties
 SCALE
A. P R I N C I PA L P E N A LT I E S
1. Capital Punishment – DEATH
2. Afflictive Penalties
a. Reclusion Perpetua
b. Reclusion Temporal
c. Perpetual or Temporary Absolute
Disqualification
d. Perpetual or Temporary Special
Disqualification
e. Prision Mayor
3. Correctional Penalties
a. Prision Correccional
b. Arresto Mayor
c. Suspension
d. Destierro
4. Light Penalties
a. Arresto Menor
b. Public Censure
Penalties common to
the three preceding
classes:

a. Fine
b. Bond to keep the
peace
B. ACCESSORY PENALTIES

1. Perpetual or Temporary
Absolute Disqualification
2. Perpetual or Temporary
Special Disqualification
3. Suspension from public
office, the right to vote and
be voted for, the exercise of
profession or calling
4. Civil Interdiction
5. Forfeiture or confiscation of
instruments and proceeds of
the offense
6. Payment of Costs
 Above-stated scale
answers the following:
I. Main
Classification
under the RPC

A. Principal –
Nos. 1-4 of letter A

B. Accessory –
Nos. 1-6 of letter B
II. Classification of
Principal Penalties
A. ACCORDING TO DIVISIBILITY
1. Indivisible – Death &
Reclusion Perpetua
2. Divisible – Reclusion
Temporal to Arresto Menor

B. ACCORDING TO GRAVITY
1. Afflictive – Nos. 2(a) to (e)
2. Correccional – Prision
Correccional to Destierro
3. Light – Arresto Menor &
Public Censure
C. ACCORDING TO SUBJECT
MATTER

1. Deprivation of Freedom –
Reclusion Perpetua
2. Restriction of Freedom –
Destierro
3. Deprivation of Rights –
Suspension
4. Pecuniary – Fine (may either
be afflictive, correctional or
light depending upon the
amount) Art. 26
 III. Maybe either
Principal or
Accessory:

1. Perpetual or Temporary
Absolute
Disqualification
2. Perpetual or Temporary
Special Disqualification
3. Suspension
DURATION OF PENALTIES (to its full extent and to its period as regards Divisible Penalties)
1. Reclusion Perpetua 20 yrs. 1 day – 40 yrs.
2. Reclusion Temporal 12 yrs. 1 day – 20 yrs.
Max. 17 yrs. 4 mos. & 1 day – 20 yrs.
Med. 14 yrs. 8 mos. & 1 day – 17 yrs. & 4 mos.
Min. 12 yrs. & 1 day – 14 yrs. & 8 mos.
3. Prision Mayor & Temporary
Disqualification 6 yrs. & 1 day – 12 yrs.
(except when the penalty of disqualification
is interposed as an accessory penalty, in
which case, its duration shall be that of the
principal penalty)

Max. 10 yrs. & 1 day – 12 yrs.

Med. 8 yrs. & 1 day – 10 yrs.
Min. 6 yrs & 1 day – 8 yrs.
4. Prision Correccional,
Suspension and Destierro 6 mos. & 1 day – 6 yrs.
(except when suspension is imposed as an
accessory penalty, in which case its duration
shall be that of the principal penalty)

Max. 4 yrs. 2 mos. & 1 day – 6 yrs.

Med. 2 yrs. 4 mos. & 1 day – 4 yrs. & 2 mos.
Min. 6 mos. & 1 day – 2 yrs. & 4 mos.
5. Arresto Mayor 1 mo. & 1 day – 6 mos.
Max. 4 mos. & 1 day – 6 mos.
Med. 2 mos. & 1 day – 4 mos.
Min. 1 mo. & 1 day – 2 mos.
6. Arresto Menor 1 day – 30 days
Max. 21 days – 30 days
Med. 11 days – 20 days
Min. 1 day – 10 days
7. Bond to keep the Peace Maybe required to cover such period of time
as the court may determine