MODULE 6
MONEY COUNTERFEITING EXAMINATION
Overview
This module presents the fundamentals of money counterfeiting examination, the historical development of
Philippine peso, current banknotes, characteristics of genuine and counterfeit paper note/bill and legal aspect
of forgery, counterfeiting and falsification. Further, this module comprehensively discusses the parts of paper
bills and coins including its composition. To understand better this module, the lesson is divided into:
Lesson 6.1 Fundamentals of Money Counterfeiting Examination
Lesson 6.2 The Historical Development of Philippine Peso
Lesson 6.3 Current Banknotes
Lesson 6.4 Characteristics of Genuine and Counterfeit Paper note/bill
Lesson 6.5 Legal Aspect of Forgery, Counterfeiting and Falsification
LESSON 6.1 FUNDAMENTALS OF MONEY COUNTERFEITING EXAMINATION
MONEY COUNTERFEITING
EXAMINATION
Definition of Terms
A. COUNTERFEITING - It is the crime of making, circulating or uttering false coins and banknotes. Literally, it
means to make a copy of; or imitate; to make a spurious semblance of, as money or stamps, with the intent to
deceive or defraud. Counterfeiting is something made to imitate the real thing used for gain.
B. FALSIFICATION - The act/process of making the content/s of a document not the intended content.
C. FORGERY - The act of falsely making or materially altering, with intent to defraud, any writing which if
genuine, might be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability.
Take Note: In forgery, every person who, with intent to defraud, signs the name of another person, or of fictitious
person, knowing that he has no authority to do so, or falsely makes, alters, forges or counterfeits any - checks,
drag-due bill for the payment of money or property - or counterfeits or forges the seal forged, or counterfeited,
with intent the same to be fake, altered forged, or counterfeited, with intent to prejudice, damage or defraud any
person is guilty of forgery.
LESSON 6.2 THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE PESO
The Philippine Peso, commonly called piso (Filipino) or peso (English and Spanish) is the currency of the
Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 sentimo (English and Spanish: centavos). The ISO 4217 name is "Philippine
peso" and the code is "PHP". Although the name as printed on the banknotes and coins changed from "peso" to
"piso" in 1967, the name peso continues to be used locally in many contexts where the English language is used.
HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE BANKNOTES
On May 1, 1852, the first commercial bank of the Philippines, El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel issuing the
following denominations initially 10, 25, 50 and 200 pesos fuertes (strong pesos). They were used until 1896.
During the First Philippine Republic, President Emilio Aguinaldo ordered the issuing of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100
pesos banknotes which shall be signed by Messengers: Pedro Paterno, Telesforo Chuidan and Mariano Limjap to
avoid counterfeiting. But they printed and circulated to some areas only the 1 and 5 pesos banknotes due to the
short-living of the government.
By 1903, The American Insular Government issued the Silver Certificates in the denominations 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50,
100 and 500 pesos backed by Silver Coin or U.S. Gold at a fixed rate of 2:1. In 1908, the El Banco Español Filipino
was allowed to print banknotes in the following denominations with text in Spanish: Cinco, Diez, Viente,
Cincuenta, Ciento and Dos Cientos Pesos. In 1912, the bank changed to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
and issued the same banknotes in English. In 1918, the Silver Certificates were replaced by the Treasury
Certificates issued with government-backing of bonds issued by the United States Government in the following
denominations: One, Two, Five, Ten, Twenty, Fifty, One Hundred and Five Hundred Pesos. In 1916, the Philippine
National Bank (PNB) was created to administer the state-holding shares and print banknotes without any quota
from the Philippine Assembly. They printed banknotes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. During World War I,
the PNB issued emergency notes printed on cardboard paper in the following denominations: 10, 20, 50
centavos and 1 peso. Also overprinted BPI Notes in Five, Ten and Twenty Pesos due to the lack of currency. The
Commonwealth of the Philippines issued Treasury Certificates with the seal of the new government but still
circulated the BPI and PNB banknotes.
During World War II, competing authorities issued banknotes for the Philippines, under the auspices of the
Japanese Military Administration and by virtue of authority granted by the President of the Philippines of the
Commonwealth for emergency currency to be issued by provincial currency boards. The emergency notes were
deemed legal tender and were pledged to be redeemable upon the end of the Japanese Occupation. Upon the
restoration of the Commonwealth government, pre-war notes were redeemed and in 1949, a central monetary
authority, the Central Bank of the Philippines, was established. With the creation of the Central Bank, the
practice of multiple banks having the authority to issue banknotes ended.
The banknotes first issued by today's Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas were the VICTORY-CEP Overprints in 1949,
which were merely overprints of older American-era banknotes. The first official banknote series to be printed
were the English Series in 1951, which was followed by the Filipino Series in 1969. After the declaration of
Proclamation No. 1081 by Ferdinand Marcos on September 23, 1972 the Central Bank was to demonetize the
existing banknotes in 1973. All the unissued Filipino Series 100 50, 20, 10 and 5 piso banknotes were sent back to
the De La Rue plant in London for overprinting the watermark area with the words "ANG BAGONG LIPUNAN" and
oval geometric safety design.
On September 7, 1978, the Security Printing Plant in Quezon City was inaugurated to produce the banknotes.
Many special events occurred during the Marcos Administration, so the Central Bank, aside from minting
expensive commemorative coins overprinted circulating banknotes. The first was in 1978 for the birth centenary
of former President Sergio Osmeña the words IKA-100 TAONG KAARAWAN 1878 1978 beautifully placed near the
portrait of Sergio Osmeña on the 50-piso banknote. The next overprint was in 1981 when Pope John Paul II
visited the Philippines from February 17 to February 21, 1981 the overprint was on the 2-piso banknote on the
watermark area. Also on June 30, 1981 the bust profile of President Ferdinand E. Marcos on the 10-piso
banknote was overprinted for the Presidential Inauguration on that date. In 1981, the Central Bank Ad Hoc
Committee was authorized to approve or disapprove designs of circulating banknotes and coins, also
commemorative banknotes and coins. By 1983, the Committee was deciding the issuing of new banknotes to
replace the Ang Bagong Lipunan Series by issuing seven new banknotes consisting of 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, 100-, 500-
and 1000-piso banknotes.
On June 12, 1985, the Central Bank issued the New Design Series starting with a new 5-piso banknote with the
face of Emilio Aguinaldo. The following months, a new 10-piso banknote with the face of Apolinario Mabini. In
early 1986, a new 20-piso banknote appeared. After the 1986 People Power Revolution and the new 1987
Constitution was promulgated, the Central Bank issued a new 50-, 100- and for the second time a new 500-piso
banknote with the face of Benigno Aquino, Jr.. In 1991, the Central Bank issued for the first time a new 1000-piso
banknote, containing the portraits of Jose Abad Santos, Josefa Llanes Escoda and Vicente Lim.
After the passage of the New Central Bank Act of 1993, the New Design Series, which was initiated in 1985, was
slightly changed because of new seal of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. In 1998, the 100,000-piso Centennial
banknote, measuring 8.5"x14", accredited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest legal
tender note. It was issued in very limited quantity during the celebration of the Centennial of Philippine
Independence. In 2001, the Bangko Sentral issued upgraded 1000-,500- and 100-piso banknotes with new hi-
tech security features to combat counterfeiting. During the Estrada Administration, the practice in use since the
Commonwealth, of reproducing the signature of the President of the Philippines over the legend "President of
the Philippines" was abandoned in favour of explicitly stating the president's name. In 2002, the Bangko Sentral
issued a new 200-piso banknote with the security features found on the upgraded 1000-, 500- and 100-piso
banknotes and has the face of former President Diosdado Macapagal. His daughter, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is
at the back of the 200- piso banknote which showed her being sworn into office at the EDSA Shrine. She is the
first president whose image has been included in a banknote while in office since emergency currency was
issued by various provincial currency boards during World War II.
LESSON 6.3 CURRENT BANKNOTES
20 piso
The front side of the 20-piso banknote features Manuel L. Quezon, first president of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines. Along the right side of the banknote are the coat-of-arms of the Commonwealth, and two of
Quezon's notable accomplishments. The first is "Wikang Pambansa", which is Tagalog for "national language". In
1937, the National Language Institute was founded to establish a single national language for the Philippines.
This eventually became the Filipino language, which is largely based on Tagalog. The second was the "Saligang
Batas 1935" or the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines. This was the first real constitution that was nationally
effected and large parts of it survive in the current constitution.
The reverse side of the 20-piso banknote depicts Malacañang Palace, more popularly known as Malacañang
Palace, the residence of the President of the Philippines, along the banks of the Pasig River. Quezon was the first
Philippine president to live in the Palace.
50 piso
Depicted on the front side of the fifty-piso is Sergio Osmeña, the second president of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines. He served as president from 1944, after Quezon's death, to 1946, when the United States granted
the Philippines' independence.
The National Museum is featured on the reverse side of the banknote. This building used to be the Legislative
Building, where the House of Representatives that Osmena presided over as Speaker from 1907-1922 was
located. The building and then renamed Executive House during the Martial Law period and was labelled as such
in the fifty-piso banknote until recently.
100 piso
The front side of the 100-piso banknote features Manuel Roxas, the first president of the independent Philippine
Republic. This independence is shown at the right side where the Philippine flag was raised while that of the
United States was lowered on July 4, 1946.
The reverse side of the banknote depicts the Manila compound of the Bangko Sentral.
The 100-piso banknote is the smallest-valued banknote to have the new security features implemented in
recent years. But before the advent of the new security features, the 100-piso banknote is interesting for having
other security features. On the front side is a barely visible "100" logo above the signatures of the president and
the Central Bank governor. This logo is best seen on crisp new 100-piso banknotes. On the reverse side, the top
row of windows of the main building has the words "Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas" ("Central Bank of the
Philippines") running the whole length.
The 100-piso banknote became subject of controversy after banknotes printed in France in time for the
Christmas season were printed with the President's name misspelled, the first in Philippine history. The
banknotes, of which a small amount are still in circulation and are still legal tender, spelled the President's name
as "Gloria Macapagal-Arrovo" versus the correct Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The incident was subsequently the
subject of public humour as soon as the issue made national headlines. The BSP probed the mistake and
corrected the error afterwards.
200 piso
The front side of the 200-piso banknote features the portrait of Diosdado Macapagal. It also features the
Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.
The back side of the banknote features a scene from EDSA II, with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Macapagal's
daughter, being sworn in as president by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. in January 2001. The little girl holding a
Bible in between Arroyo and Davide is Cecilia Paz Razon Abad, daughter of former Philippine Education
Secretary Florencio Abad and Batanes Representative Henedina Razon-Abad.
The banknote is predominantly colored green. This note is also a commemorative banknote, released in 2002 to
commemorate Philippine independence.
The banknote was subject of criticisms by the opposition. They said that the legal tender should only feature
deceased national heroes and not an incumbent President. Although, it wasn't the first time that a legal tender
featured a sitting President. Legal tender coinage was minted to commemorate the inauguration of Manuel L.
Quezon as President of the Philippines in 1935. Emergency currency during World War II had many instances
where provincial emergency currency boards placed the image of then President Manuel L. Quezon. In 1975,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas released a 5-piso coin featuring the face of then President Ferdinand Marcos. Former
Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada was also pictured in a limited commemorative 2000-piso banknote
that honors the 100-year celebration of Philippine Independence. Also a limited commemorative gold 1000-
piso banknote with the picture of former President Joseph Estrada was also issued to honor the 100-year
celebration of Philippine Independence. Also, every banknote series since 1935 has borne the facsimile
signature of the incumbent President of the Philippines.
Some critics including "running priest" Fr. Robert Reyes also pointed out that featuring Gloria Arroyo in the 200-
piso note could be an electioneering tactic ahead of the 2004 Philippine elections.
500 piso
The front side of the 500-piso banknote features the portrait of Benigno Aquino, Jr.. To the right of the
banknote, there are two popular quotes from Aquino: "Faith in our people and faith in God", and "The Filipino is
worth dying for". There is also the signature of Aquino, a typewriter with his initials ("B.S.A.J."), and a dove of
peace. A Philippine flag is also to the right of his portrait, near the central part of the front side.
The reverse side features a collage of various images in relation to Aquino. He was (out of some of the pictures) a
journalist for the Manila Times, a senator (the pioneer of the Study Now, Pay Later education program), the
mayor in his hometown of Concepcion, the governor of Tarlac, and was the main driving force behind the People
Power Revolution of 1986, some three years after his death in 1983.
It is also interesting to note that unlike the names of the figures on the bills, "Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. is written in
gold-coloured, cursive writing with a green laurel wreath as opposed to the name being simply written as with
the other banknotes.
Before this note was printed, 500-piso banknote was to have Ferdinand Marcos and its back was the Batasang
Pambansa Complex until People Power Revolution when it was replaced by the current 500-piso banknote.
Remnants of this version of the banknote are only for media purposes.
1,000 piso
The front side of the 1,000-piso banknote features the portraits of Jose Abad Santos, Chief Justice; Josefa
Llanes Escoda, civic worker and one of the founders of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines; and Vicente Lim, a
general in the Philippine Army, first Filipino graduate of West Point: the three are considered heroes of the
resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It also features the eternal flame, laurel leaves,
and bank seal. The back of the banknote features the Banaue Rice Terraces, Manunggul Jar cover and Langgal.
The banknote is predominantly coloured blue. Security features of the banknote include optically variable ink, a
security thread, scattered red & blue visible fibres, and fluorescent printing. The words "Central Bank of the
Philippines" are microprinted in the lower left border on the face of the note.
Higher denominations
The Central Bank of the Philippines issued only 300,000 pieces of this 216mmx133mm 2,000 Philippine piso
centennial commemorative legal tender banknote. The obverse side features President Joseph Estrada taking
his oath of office on June 30, 1998 in the historic Barasoain Church, the seat of the first democratic republic in
Asia shown in the background as well as the scroll of the Malolos Constitution and the seal of the BSP (Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas). The reverse side depicts the re- enactment of the declaration of Philippine Independence
at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1998 by President Fidel V. Ramos and also features the
Philippine Centennial Commission logo. The security features of the note include a 3-dimensional cylinder mold-
made portrait watermark of the two presidents and the years 1898-1998, iridescent band, color-shift windowed
security thread, latent image and perfect see-through register. The 100,000-piso centennial note, measuring
8.5"x14", is accredited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest legal tender note in terms of
size. It was issued in very limited quantity during the celebration of the centennial of Philippine independence in
1998 . (Retrieved 28 July 2015from [Link]
MAKING OF PAPER MONEY
A. ENGRAVING - It is the process by which the line to be printed are cut into pieces of metal by hand or with a
machine. Ink is rubbed over the plate to fill the cuts in the metal and the extra ink wiped-off the top. The
pressure of the paper on the plate causes the ink in the holes to be lifted on the surface of the paper. The ink
lines will be felt to be raised above the surface. The engraving process is used for the production of all genuine
bank notes.
B. LETTERPRESS PRINTING - is the most common form of printing books, magazine, letterheads and the usual
printing in common uses. In the process, the letters are made on raised pieces of metal which covered with ink
and then impressed upon the paper in the same form as a rubber stamp or cliché. The serial numbers of a bank
note are usually added by this letterpress process after the note has been produced by an engraving.
C. OFFSET PRINTING - is the method a photograph is taken of the desire material and a print is made on a
specially prepared aluminum plate. The plate is kept wet with water. When ink is applied, it sticks only these
parts of the plate where printing is desired. The aluminum plate is then put in contact with rubber roller which
transfers the ink to the papers. The offset process is quite used in small printing plants. Because it was
photographic process, it is the most common modern used by counterfeiter to make false paper money.
BANK NOTE PAPER
Paper bank notes get a lot of handling. If a good grade of paper is not used, they would soon wear out and have
to be replaced. Even with the best paper, the old two peso bill usually wears out and has to be replaced at the
end of thirty days. Government buy the very best grade of paper they can get, in order that the paper will last as
long as possible. Special paper also makes it difficult for the counterfeiter to duplicate it. It is usually the use of
wrong paper that causes the counterfeited bank note to be detected by ultraviolet light.
Take Note: In most modern printing, papers have chemicals added to make look whiter. These chemicals cause
brilliant fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Bank notes paper does not have this filler and does not show.
LESSON 6.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUINE AND COUNTERFEIT PAPER NOTE/BILL
MAIN PRINT
GENUINE
Distinctive feel & embossed effect
1. The fingers will readily feel the main print on the front & back on fairly new notes.
2. This is due to the measurable thickness of the ink deposited on the paper which gives the prints an embossed
effect.
COUNTERFEIT
Generally smooth
1. The fingers will hardly feel the main prints of the front & back even on new notes.
2. This is brought about by offset print the most common process employed by counterfeiters.
3. The prints are mere stains on the coating of the sensitized paper which is glossy.
PORTRAIT
GENUINE
1. Appears life-like
2. The eyes sparkle.
3. The tiny dots and lines (Vignette) forming the details of the face, hair, etc. are clear, sharp and well defined.
4. Each portrait stands out distinctly from background. This is noticeable along the shoulders.
5. The background is composed of multi-colored fine pattern of lines in varying tones and d shades interlacing
with each other. These shadings or toning are intricately printed in such a way that the contrast or shifting of
colors creates the impression of life & vividness to the notes.
COUNTERFEIT
1. It appears dead.
2. The eyes do not sparkle.
3. It appears blurred, dull, smudgy and poorly printed.
4. Hair is lifeless.
5. The face and/or forehead are often naturally white or pale due to absence of most of the details.
6. The concentric lines depicting the eyes often merged into solid printed areas.
7. The background often blends with the portrait and is usually "scratchy."
8. The lines are thick with rough edges.
9. The multi-colored prints on genuine notes are extremely difficult to duplicate and as a result, How counterfeit
notes are usually off-color & not of Him the right shade or tone.
WATERMARK
GENUINE
1. The watermark underneath the security lace- work on the right hand side of the note is the same on the
colored portrait.
2. The design is placed by means of dandy roll during the manufacture of the paper.
3. Sharp details of the outline or the light & shad- ow effect are discernible when viewed with the aid of
transmitted light.
4. The relief of the features can be felt by running the finger on the design.
COUNTERFEIT
1. This is imitated by printing white ink or dry block on the finished paper.
2. Sometimes wax or other oily medium is stamped to give transparency to the portion where the designing
appears.
3. Printed outline is placed on the inner sheet where merely a paper cutout is placed inside. As a result course or
harsh and occasional irregular lines & sometimes-opaque areas are very obvious.
METTALIC THREAD
GENUINE
1. This is a special thread placed vertically on the paper during manufacture.
2. On the surface of the paper where this thread is located are patterns of short vertical lines.
COUNTERFEIT
1. Counterfeit by means of printing on the back of the note, on the inner side of the paper, insertion of twin
thread or simply folding the note vertically where the thread appears on the genuine bill.
COLORED FIBERS OR SECURITY FIBERS
GENUINE
1. These fibers are scattered on the surface of the paper (front & back) at random & can be readily picked off by
means of any pointed instrument.
2. The colors of these fibers are red & blue.
COUNTERFEIT
On counterfeit, this is simulated by printed lines, cannot be picked off, but can be easily erased with ordinary
rubber or by agitating with wet fingers.
LACEWORK DESIGN
GENUINE
The geometric pattern which looks like a delicate lacework along the border on both surfaces, embellishing the
portraits, value panel & vignettes are multicolored & composed of harp lines, which are, continuous & traceable
even at the joints.
COUNTERFEIT
On counterfeit, these geometric patterns are often blurred, round on the edges & blotch on the joints. Its
continuity could not be traced. The color appears faded.
SERIAL NUMBERS
GENUINE
1. The prefix letter/s & numbers (Six of them except on replacement note) are clearly printed.
2. They have peculiar style & are uniform in size & thickness.
3. Spacing of the numbers is uniform & alignment is even.
COUNTERFEIT
1. On counterfeit, the letters & numbers are poorly printed. They are usually of different style.
2. Most often, they are evenly spaced & poorly aligned.
3. The numbers are too big or too small, too thick or too thin & in certain cases shaded on the curves.
VIGNETTE
GENUINE
1. The lines & dots composing the vignettes are fine, distinct & sharp.
2. The varying color tone gives a bold look to the picture that makes it stands out of the paper.
COUNTERFEIT
1. On counterfeit usually dull & poorly printed.
2. It appears dirty.
3. The lines are comparatively thicker with rough edges.
4. There is no variation in color tone so that the picture appears flat.
CLEARNESS OF PRINT
GENUINE
The registry of the different printed features is perfect. The lines are very clear & sharp. There are no Burrs
clinging to the sides.
COUNTERFEIT
In general, a spurious not exhibits a Second hand look. It is dirty due to the sputtering of ink on the interior area.
Over-inked areas are visible instantly. The shadings & ornamentations of the letters & figures are thick & usually
merged.
COLOR OF PHILIPPINE DENOMINATION
20-piso in orange
50-piso in red
100-piso in mauve
200-piso in green
500-piso in yellow
1,000-piso in blue
EXAMINATION OF SUSPECTED COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE
1. As well as inspection under ultraviolet light, the investigator should look at the banknote with a hand lens.
2. He should pay particular attention to the quantity of the portrait in the bank note. This is the one extremely
fine detail of a good engraved plate.
3. The color of the ink should be compared with the color of a genuine banknote. It is very difficult for
counterfeiter to match exactly the same shade of ink by a genuine manufacturer.
COINS
These are pieces of metal stamped by government authority, for use as money or collectively referring to metal
currency.
MAKING OF COINS
CASTING is the most common method of making gold coins. Plaster molds bearing an image of gold coins are
filled (within a low temperature) with alloy made with lead or tin. Some molds are used for high temperature
metal such as copper or silver alloy-alon
STRIKING OR STAMPING is the making of an impression of a coin or metal blank by pressure.
COIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Genuine coins show an even flow of metallic grains. The details of the profile, the seal of the Republic of the
Philippines, letterings & numerals are of high relief, so that it can be readily felt distinctly by running the fingers
on theses features. The beadings are regular & the readings are deep & even.
B. Counterfeit coins feel greasy & appear slimy. The beading composed of tiny round dots surrounding the
genuine coin appear irregular & elongated depressions & are not sharp & prominent as in the genuine. The
letterings & numerals are low & worn out due to the lack of sharpness of details. The readings are uneven & show
signs of filing.
COUNTERFEIT METAL MONEY OR COIN
1. Coin made of gold was to widely use but are not now often see. Government kept their gold in the form of
heavy bars called bullions and then issue papers for the value of gold.
2. Metal coins issued nowadays are mostly in amount for less than its face value. In most countries, the
possession of gold coins is now forbidden except for coin collectors.
EXAMINATION OF COUNTERFEIT COINS - should be examined by a magnifying lens; comparing it with a known
coin.
DEFECTS IN CAST COIN ARE USUALLY CAUSED BY: formation of air bubbles, or removal of small parts of the
sole along with the coin. The best place to examine a counterfeit coin is on the edge since there are usually
special milling marks or designs which are added to a genuine coin by machinery.
COUNTERFEIT PASSPORT
Passports are rarely counterfeit, because they are quite complicated in design and manufacture The most usual
method of forgery is to steal a genuine passport and make change in it. Many safety features are incorporated in
passport and are easily detected by close inspection. Ultraviolet light is very useful in this type of examination.
The investigator should look particularly at the photograph in any passport as identification card. This is always
necessary because sometimes forgers remove and change or substitute the picture. Hence, the position of
perforation caused by staples and another pasting device should be studied carefully.
LESSON 6.5 LEGAL ASPECT OF FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING AND FALSIFICATION
(Pursuant to Title Four, Chapter One, Revised Penal Code - Crimes against Public Interests)
A. FOREGERIES - What are the crimes called forgeries?
1. Counterfeiting the great seal of the Government of the Philippine Islands, forging the signature or stamp of
the Chief Executive (Art.161).
2. Counterfeiting coins (Art. 163).
3. Mutilation of coins (Art. 164).
4. Forging treasury or bank notes or other documents payable to bearer (Art. 166).
5. Counterfeiting instruments not payable to bearer (Art. 167).
6. Falsification of legislative documents (Art. 170).
7. Falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastical minister (Art. 171).
8. Falsification by private individuals (Art. 172).
9. Falsification of wireless, cable, telegraph and telephone messages (Art. 173),
10. Falsification of medical certificates, certificates of merit or service (Art. 174).
B. ACTS PUNISHABLE UNDER ART. 161: Forging the great seal of the Government of the Philippines; Forging the
signature of the President; Forging the stamp of the President.
C. What are the crimes under counterfeiting coins? They are: Making and importing and uttering false coins (Art.
163); Mutilation of coins - importation and utterance of mutilated coins (Art. 164); and Selling of false or
mutilated coin, without connivance (Art. 165).
D. Reason for punishing forgery - Forgery of currency is punished so as to maintain the integrity of the currency
and thus insure the credit standing of the government and prevent the imposition on the public and the
government of worthless notes or obligations.
E. ACTS OF FALSIFICATION (Art. 171 & 172)
1. Counterfeiting or imitating any handwriting, signature, or rubric;
2. Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so
participate;
3. Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding statements other than those in fact
made by them;
4. Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts; Altering true dates;
5. Making any alteration or intercalation in a genuine document which changes its meaning;
6. Issuing in an authenticated form a document purporting to be a copy of an original document when no such
original exists, or including in such copy a statement contrary to, or different from, that of the genuine original;
or
7. Intercalating any instrument or note relative to the issuance thereof in a protocol, registry, or official book.
