Theft of museum property

Theft of museum property "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?EstherDear 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.""Based on the aforementioned law, the imposable penalty is arresto mayor and a fine ranging from P200 to P500 pesos, or both. However, it bears stressing that certain provisions of the RPC have already been amended under Republic Act (RA) 10951, otherwise known as ""An Act Adjusting the Amount or the Value of Property and Damage on Which a Penalty is Based and the Fines Imposed Under the Revised Penal Code, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, Otherwise Known as 'The Revised Penal Code,' as Amended."" Section 82 of RA 10951 specifically provides that the amount of fine which may be imposed on a person who is found to have committed the crime of theft of the property of the National Library and National Museum ranges from P40,000 to P100,000, to wit:""Section 82. Article 311 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: ""Art. 311. Theft of the property of the National Library and National Museum. - If the property stolen be any property of the National Museum, the penalty shall be arresto mayor or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (P40,000) to One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000), 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.""We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated. Editor's note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney's Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/