Sen. Gordon proposes stricter penalties for fake medical certs

Senator Richard Gordon has proposed Senate Bill 2315 to increase penalties for falsifying medical certificates, test results, and vaccination cards during national health emergencies.

The bill seeks to impose a penalty of prision correccional in its medium to maximum period and a fine of up to P250,000 for individuals found guilty of falsifying such documents during declared national health emergencies.

If the act is committed for gain by a group of three or more people, the jail term will be prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of P1 million.

The stricter penalty applies to individuals, physicians, and surgeons involved in the falsification.

Gordon cited several instances of fake COVID-19 test results being used and proliferated, including a raid on a printing shop, cases involving tourists and passengers, and a doctor and clinic allegedly faking swab test results.