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PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 968
ESTABLISHING A PROBATION SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, one of the major goals of the government is to establish a more enlightened and humane
correctional systems that will promote the reformation of offenders and thereby reduce the incidence of
recidivism;
WHEREAS, the confinement of all offenders prisons and other institutions with rehabilitation programs
constitutes an onerous drain on the financial resources of the country; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to provide a less costly alternative to the imprisonment of offenders who are
likely to respond to individualized, community-based treatment programs;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the following:
Section 1. Title and Scope of the Decree. This Decree shall be known as the Probation Law of 1976.
It shall apply to all offenders except those entitled to the benefits under the provisions of Presidential
Decree numbered Six Hundred and three and similar laws.
Sec. 2. Purpose. This Decree shall be interpreted so as to:
(a) promote the correction and rehabilitation of an offender by providing him with individualized
treatment;
(b) provide an opportunity for the reformation of a penitent offender which might be less probable
if he were to serve a prison sentence; and
(c) prevent the commission of offenses.
Sec. 3. Meaning of Terms. As used in this Decree, the following shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, be construed thus:
(a) "Probation" is a disposition under which a defendant, after conviction and sentence, is
released subject to conditions imposed by the court and to the supervision of a probation
officer.
(b) "Probationer" means a person placed on probation.
(c) "Probation Officer" means one who investigates for the court a referral for probation or
supervises a probationer or both.
Sec. 4. Grant of Probation. Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the court may, after it shall have
convicted and sentenced a defendant and upon application at any time of said defendant, suspend the
execution of said sentence and place the defendant on probation for such period and upon such terms
and conditions as it may deem best.
Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a term of imprisonment or a fine only. An
application for probation shall be filed with the trial court, with notice to the appellate court if an appeal
has been taken from the sentence of conviction. The filing of the application shall be deemed a waver of
the right to appeal, or the automatic withdrawal of a pending appeal.
An order granting or denying probation shall not be appealable.
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Sec. 5. Post-sentence Investigation. No person shall be placed on probation except upon prior
investigation by the probation officer and a determination by the court that the ends of justice and the best
interest of the public as well as that of the defendant will be served thereby.
Sec. 6. Form of Investigation Report. The investigation report to be submitted by the probation
officer under Section 5 hereof shall be in the form prescribed by the Probation Administrator and
approved by the Secretary of Justice.
Sec. 7. Period for Submission of Investigation Report. The probation officer shall submit to the
court the investigation report on a defendant not later than sixty days from receipt of the order of said
court to conduct the investigation. The court shall resolve the petition for probation not later than five days
after receipt of said report.
Pending submission of the investigation report and the resolution of the petition, the defendant may be
allowed on temporary liberty under his bail filed in the criminal case; Provided, That, in case where no bail
was filed or that the defendant is incapable of filing one, the court may allow the release of the defendant
on recognize to the custody of a responsible member of the community who shall guarantee his
appearance whenever required by the court.
Sec. 8. Criteria for Placing an Offender on Probation. In determining whether an offender may be
placed on probation, the court shall consider all information relative, to the character, antecedents,
environment, mental and physical condition of the offender, and available institutional and community
resources. Probation shall be denied if the court finds that:
(a) the offender is in need of correctional treatment that can be provided most effectively by his
commitment to an institution; or
(b) there is undue risk that during the period of probation the offender will commit another crime;
or
(c) probation will depreciate the seriousness of the offense committed.
Sec. 9. Disqualified Offenders. The benefits of this Decree shall not be extended to those:
(a) sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than six years;
(b) convicted of any offense against the security of the State;
(c) who have previously been convicted by final judgment of an offense punished by
imprisonment of not less than one month and one day and/or a fine of not less than Two
Hundred Pesos;
(d) who have been once on probation under the provisions of this Decree; and
(e) who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive provisions of this Decree
became applicable pursuant to Section 33 hereof.
Sec. 10. Conditions of Probation. Every probation order issued by the court shall contain conditions
requiring that the probationer shall:
(a) present himself to the probation officer designated to undertake his supervision at such place
as may be specified in the order within seventy-two hours from receipt of said order;
(b) report to the probation officer at least once a month at such time and place as specified by
said officer.
The court may also require the probationer to:
(a) cooperate with a program of supervision;
(b) meet his family responsibilities;
(c) devote himself to a specific employment and not to change said employment without the prior
written approval of the probation officer;
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(d) undergo medical, psychological or psychiatric examination and treatment and enter and
remain in a specified institution, when required for that purpose;
(e) pursue a prescribed secular study or vocational training;
(f) attend or reside in a facility established for instruction, recreation or residence of persons on
probation;
(g) refrain from visiting houses of ill-repute;
(h) abstain from drinking intoxicating beverages to excess;
(i) permit the probation officer or an authorized social worker to visit his home and place of work;
(j) reside at premises approved by it and not to change his residence without its prior written
approval; or
(k) satisfy any other condition related to the rehabilitation of the defendant and not unduly
restrictive of his liberty or incompatible with his freedom of conscience.
Sec. 11. Effectivity of Probation Order. A probation order shall take effect upon its issuance, at
which time the court shall inform the offender of the consequences thereof and explain that upon his
failure to comply with any of the conditions prescribed in the said order or his commission of another
offense, he shall serve the penalty imposed for the offense under which he was placed on probation.
Sec. 12. Modification of Condition of Probation. During the period of probation, the court may,
upon application of either the probationer or the probation officer, revise or modify the conditions or period
of probation. The court shall notify either the probationer or the probation officer of the filing of such an
application so as to give both parties an opportunity to be heard thereon.
The court shall inform in writing the probation officer and the probationer of any change in the period or
conditions of probation.
Sec. 13. Control and Supervision of Probationer. The probationer and his probation program shall
be under the control of the court who placed him on probation subject to actual supervision and visitation
by a probation officer.
Whenever a probationer is permitted to reside in a place under the jurisdiction of another court, control
over him shall be transferred to the Executive Judge of the Court of First Instance of that place, and in
such a case, a copy of the probation order, the investigation report and other pertinent records shall be
furnished said Executive Judge. Thereafter, the Executive Judge to whom jurisdiction over the
probationer is transferred shall have the power with respect to him that was previously possessed by the
court which granted the probation.
Sec. 14. Period of Probation.
(a) The period of probation of a defendant sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than
one year shall not exceed two years, and in all other cases, said period shall not exceed six
years.
(b) When the sentence imposes a fine only and the offender is made to serve subsidiary
imprisonment in case of insolvency, the period of probation shall not be less than nor to be
more than twice the total number of days of subsidiary imprisonment as computed at the rate
established, in Article thirty-nine of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
Sec. 15. Arrest of Probationer; Subsequent Disposition. At any time during probation, the court
may issue a warrant for the arrest of a probationer for violation of any of the conditions of probation. The
probationer, once arrested and detained, shall immediately be brought before the court for a hearing,
which may be informal and summary, of the violation charged. The defendant may be admitted to bail
pending such hearing. In such a case, the provisions regarding release on bail of persons charged with a
crime shall be applicable to probationers arrested under this provision. If the violation is established, the
court may revoke or continue his probation and modify the conditions thereof. If revoked, the court shall
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order the probationer to serve the sentence originally imposed. An order revoking the grant of probation
or modifying the terms and conditions thereof shall not be appealable.
Sec. 16. Termination of Probation. After the period of probation and upon consideration of the report
and recommendation of the probation officer, the court may order the final discharge of the probationer
upon finding that he has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and thereupon the case is
deemed terminated.
The final discharge of the probationer shall operate to restore to him all civil rights lost or suspend as a
result of his conviction and to fully discharge his liability for any fine imposed as to the offense for which
probation was granted.
The probationer and the probation officer shall each be furnished with a copy of such order.
Sec. 17. Confidentiality of Records. The investigation report and the supervision history of a
probationer obtained under this Decree shall be privileged and shall not be disclosed directly or indirectly
to anyone other than the Probation Administration or the court concerned, except that the court, in its
discretion, may permit the probationer of his attorney to inspect the aforementioned documents or parts
thereof whenever the best interest of the probationer makes such disclosure desirable or helpful:
Provided, Further, That, any government office or agency engaged in the correction or rehabilitation of
offenders may, if necessary, obtain copies of said documents for its official use from the proper court or
the Administration.
Sec. 18. The Probation Administration. There is hereby created under the Department of Justice an
agency to be known as the Probation Administration herein referred to as the Administration, which shall
exercise general supervision over all probationers.
The Administration shall have such staff, operating units and personnel as may be necessary for the
proper execution of its functions.
Sec. 19. Probation Administration. The Administration shall be headed by the Probation
Administrator, hereinafter referred to as the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines. He shall hold office during good behavior and shall not be removed except for cause.
The Administrator shall receive an annual salary of at least forty thousand pesos. His powers and duties
shall be to:
(a) act as the executive officer of the Administration;
(b) exercise supervision and control over all probation officers;
(c) make annual reports to the Secretary of Justice, in such form as the latter may prescribe,
concerning the operation, administration and improvement of the probation system;
(d) promulgate, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Justice, the necessary rules relative to
the methods and procedures of the probation process;
(e) recommend to the Secretary of Justice the appointment of the subordinate personnel of his
Administration and other offices established in this Decree; and
(f) generally, perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be necessary or incidental
to achieve the objectives of this Decree.
Sec. 20. Assistant Probation Administrator. There shall be an Assistant Probation Administrator
who shall assist the Administrator perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the latter and as
may be provided by law. In the absence of the Administrator, he shall act as head of the Administration.
He shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and shall receive an annual salary of at least
thirty-six thousand pesos.
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Sec. 21. Qualifications of the Administrator and Assistant Probation Administrator. To be
eligible for Appointment as Administrator or Assistant Probation Administrator, a person must be at least
thirty-five years of age, holder of a master's degree or its equivalent in either criminology, social work,
corrections, penology, psychology, sociology, public administration, law, police science, police
administration, or related fields, and should have at least five years of supervisory experience, or be a
member of the Philippine Bar with at least seven years of supervisory experience.
Sec. 22. Regional Office; Regional Probation Officer. The Administration shall have regional
offices organized in accordance with the field service area patterns established under the Integrated
Reorganization Plan.
Such regional offices shall be headed by a Regional Probation Officer who shall be appointed by
President of the Philippines in accordance with the Integrated Reorganization Plan and upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of Justice.
The Regional Probation Officer shall exercise supervision and control over all probation officer within his
jurisdiction and such duties as may be assigned to him by the Administrator. He shall have an annual
salary of at least twenty-four thousand pesos.
He shall, whenever necessary, be assisted by an Assistant Regional Probation Officer who shall also be
appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, with an
annual salary of at least twenty thousand pesos.
Sec. 23. Provincial and City Probation Officers. There shall be at least one probation officer in
each province and city who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Justice upon recommendation of the
Administrator and in accordance with civil service law and rules.
The Provincial or City Probation Officer shall receive an annual salary of at least eighteen thousand four
hundred pesos.
His duties shall be to:
(a) investigate all persons referred to him for investigation by the proper court or the
Administrator;
(b) instruct all probationers under his supervision or that of the probation aide on the terms and
conditions of their probations;
(c) keep himself informed of the conduct and condition of probationers under his charge and use
all suitable methods to bring about an improvement in their conduct and conditions;
(d) maintain a detailed record of his work and submit such written reports as may be required by
the Administration or the court having jurisdiction over the probationer under his supervision;
(e) prepare a list of qualified residents of the province or city where he is assigned who are
willing to act as probation aides;
(f) supervise the training of probation aides and oversee the latter's supervision of probationers;
(g) exercise supervision and control over all field assistants, probation aides and other
personnel; and
(h) perform such duties as may be assigned by the court or the Administration.
Sec. 24. Miscellaneous Powers of Provincial and City Probation Officers. Provincial or City
Probation Officers shall have the authority within their territorial jurisdiction to administer oaths and
acknowledgments and to take depositions in connection with their duties and functions under this Decree.
They shall also have, with respect to probationers under their care, the powers of a police officer.
Sec. 25. Qualifications of Regional, Assistant Regional, Provincial, and City Probation Officers.
No person shall be appointed Regional or Assistant Regional or Provincial or City Probation Officer
unless he possesses at least a bachelor's degree with a major in social work, sociology, psychology,
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criminology, penology, corrections, police science, police administration, or related fields and has at least
three years of experience in work requiring any of the abovementioned disciplines, or is a member of the
Philippine Bar with at least three years of supervisory experience.
Whenever practicable, the Provincial or City Probation Officer shall be appointed from among qualified
residents of the province or city where he will be assigned to work.
Sec. 26. Organization. Within twelve months from the approval of this Decree, the Secretary of
Justice shall organize the administrative structure of the Administration and the other agencies created
herein. During said period, he shall also determine the staffing patterns of the regional, provincial and city
probation offices with the end in view of achieving maximum efficiency and economy in the operations of
the probation system.
Sec. 27. Field Assistants, Subordinate Personnel. Provincial or City Probation Officers shall be
assisted by such field assistants and subordinate personnel as may be necessary to enable them to carry
out their duties effectively.
Sec. 28. Probation Aides. To assist the Provincial or City Probation Officers in the supervision of
probationers, the Probation Administrator may appoint citizens of good repute and probity to act as
probation aides.
Probation Aides shall not receive any regular compensation for services except for reasonable travel
allowance. They shall hold office for such period as may be determined by the Probation Administrator.
Their qualifications and maximum case loads shall be provided in the rules promulgated pursuant to this
Decree.
Sec. 29. Violation of Confidential Nature of Probation Records. The penalty of imprisonment
ranging from six months and one day to six years and a fine ranging from six hundred to six thousand
pesos shall be imposed upon any person who violates Section 17 hereof.
Sec. 30. Appropriations. There is hereby authorized the appropriation of the sum of Six Million Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos or so much as may be necessary, out of any funds in the National Treasury
not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the purposes of this Decree. Thereafter, the amount of at least
Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos or so much as may be necessary shall be included in the
annual appropriations of the national government.
Sec. 31. Repealing Clause. All provisions of existing laws, orders and regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 32. Separability of Provisions. If any part, section or provision of this Decree shall be held
invalid or unconstitutional, no other parts, sections or provisions hereof shall be affected thereby.
Sec. 33. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect upon its approval: Provided, However, That, the
application of its substantive provisions concerning the grant of probation shall only take effect twelve
months after the certification by the Secretary of Justice to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that
the administrative structure of the Probation Administration and of the other agencies has been
organized.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of July in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-six.
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1990
AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
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THE PROBATION LAW OF 1976
WHEREAS, it has been the sad experience that persons who are convicted of offenses and who may be
entitled to probation still appeal the judgment of conviction even up to the Supreme Court, only to pursue
their application for probation when their appeal is eventually dismissed; .
WHEREAS, the process of criminal investigation, prosecution, conviction and appeal entails too much
time and effort, not to mention the huge expenses of litigation, on the part of the State;
WHEREAS, the time, effort and expenses of the Government in investigating and prosecuting accused
persons from the lower courts up to the Supreme Court, are oftentimes rendered nugatory when, after the
appellate Court finally affirms the judgment of conviction, the defendant applies for and is granted
probation;
WHEREAS, probation was not intended as an escape hatch and should not be used to obstruct and
delay the administration of justice, but should be availed of at the first opportunity by offenders who are
willing to be reformed and rehabilitated;
WHEREAS, it becomes imperative to remedy the problems abovementioned confronting our probation
system.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree:
Section 1. Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 968 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 4. Grant of Probation. Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the trial court
may, after it shall have convicted and sentenced a defendant, and upon application by
said defendant within the period for perfecting an appeal, suspend the execution of the
sentence and place the defendant on probation for such period and upon such terms and
conditions as it may deem best; Provided, That no application for probation shall be
entertained or granted if the defendant has perfected the appeal from the judgment of
conviction.
"Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a term of imprisonment or a
fine only. An application for probation shall be filed with the trial court. The filing of the
application shall be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal.
"An order granting or denying probation shall not be appealable."
Section 2. Section 9 of Presidential Decree No. 968 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 9. Disqualified Offenders. The benefits of this Decree shall not be extended to those:
(a) sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than six years;
(b) convicted of subversion or any crime against the national security or the public order;
(c) who have previously been convicted by final judgment of an offense punished by
imprisonment of not less than one month and one day and/or a fine of not less than Two
Hundred Pesos.
(d) who have been once on probation under the provisions of this Decree; and
(e) who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive provisions of this Decree
became applicable pursuant to Section 33 hereof."
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Section 3. The provisions of Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 968, as above amended, shall not
apply to those who have already filed their respective applications for probation at the time of the
effectivity of this Decree.
Section 4. All laws, decrees, executive or administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof,
inconsistent with this Decree, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. .
Section 5. This Decree shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official
Gazette.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
eighty-five.
