3815, and some Philippine criminal laws have been enacted outside of the Revised Penal Code as separate Republic Acts.
The new Code was drafted by a committee created in 1927, and headed by Judge Anacleto Díaz, who would later serve on the Supreme Court.
[1][2] One distinct aspect of the Revised Penal Code centers on its classification of aggravating, exempting and mitigating circumstances, the appreciation of which affects the gradation of penalties.
[4] Prior to the 1997 amendments, rape had been classified as a crime against chastity and was defined as "having carnal knowledge of a woman" under enumerated circumstances that indicated lack of consent.
Additional circumstances by which the victim would be deemed incapable of giving valid consent were also integrated into this new definition of rape.
[2] Republic Act 10951, signed by president Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, updated the fines and penalties to the law.
Chapter One defines what a felony is, which are acts and omissions punishable by law, either by means of deceit, or by fault.
The succeeding chapters list which circumstances justify, exempt, mitigate and aggravate criminal liability.
This includes provisions on crimes committed prior to the code to be applied under the laws at that time, and a repealing clause.