Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code: Alarms and scandals
Status: Amended
Amended
This provision has been amended. The text below is the current version.
- Amended by: Republic Act No. 10951 (Wording as amended by this law.)
- Amended by: Republic Act No. 11926 (Wording as amended by this law.)
What does Article 155 say?
The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (P40,000) shall be imposed upon:
1. Any person who within any town or public place, shall discharge any rocket, firecracker, or other explosives calculated to cause alarm or danger;
2. Any person who shall instigate or take an active part in any charivari or other disorderly meeting offensive to another or prejudicial to public tranquility;
3. Any person who, while wandering about at night or while engaged in any other nocturnal amusements, shall disturb the public peace; or
4. Any person who, while intoxicated or otherwise, shall cause any disturbance or scandal in public places: Provided, That the circumstances of the case shall not make the provisions of Article 153 applicable.
What does it mean in plain language?
Article 155 punishes four kinds of public disturbance: setting off rockets, firecrackers or other explosives in a town or public place to cause alarm or danger; leading or joining a charivari or other disorderly gathering; disturbing the public peace while roaming at night; and causing a disturbance or scandal in public, drunk or not. The penalty is arresto menor (1 to 30 days) or a fine of up to ₱40,000.
Alarms and scandals is a light felony. It is meant for minor disturbances of public order. Serious disturbances in a public place, office or establishment fall under Article 153 instead, which carries a heavier penalty.
How does it work in real life?
Toto: drunk at 1 a.m.
At 1 a.m., Toto is drunk and shouts and kicks parked cars on the street, waking the whole block. This can fall under Article 155(4): causing a disturbance or scandal in a public place while intoxicated.
Benjie: firecrackers thrown into a crowd
On New Year's Eve, Benjie throws lit firecrackers into a crowd in the town plaza. This can be alarms and scandals under Article 155(1), because he discharged firecrackers in a public place in a way calculated to cause alarm or danger. If someone is hurt, other crimes such as physical injuries may also apply.
Nonoy: a pistol fired into the air
The same night, Nonoy fires his pistol into the air. Since Republic Act No. 11926, this is no longer alarms and scandals. It is indiscriminate discharge of a firearm under Article 254(b). See the penalty for firing a gun on New Year.
What does this mean in practice?
- Penalty range. Arresto menor runs from 1 to 30 days (Articles 27 and 76). The court may impose it or a fine of up to ₱40,000.
- Short deadline. The Code says light offenses prescribe in two months (Article 90).
- Barangay first? Whether barangay conciliation is required before a case goes to court depends on the case; ask the barangay or the prosecutor. See noisy neighbor complaint and the barangay guides.
- Local ordinances. Cities and municipalities may also have their own noise, curfew or firecracker ordinances. Check with your city or municipal hall.
- For a full explanation, see alarms and scandals. Repeated acts aimed at annoying a specific person may instead be unjust vexation.
What acts count as alarms and scandals?
The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (P40,000) shall be imposed upon:
| Paragraph | Act | Where or when |
|---|---|---|
| 155(1) | Discharging a rocket, firecracker or other explosive calculated to cause alarm or danger | Within a town or public place |
| 155(2) | Instigating or taking an active part in a charivari or other disorderly meeting offensive to another or prejudicial to public tranquility | No place is named; the meeting must be offensive to another or prejudicial to public tranquility |
| 155(3) | Disturbing the public peace while wandering about at night or during other nocturnal amusements | At night |
| 155(4) | Causing any disturbance or scandal, while intoxicated or otherwise | In public places, unless Article 153 applies |
What did Republic Act No. 11926 change?
Two laws changed Article 155:
- Republic Act No. 10951 (2017) raised the fine. The original 1930 text, still printed on the Supreme Court E-Library, set "fine not exceeding 200 pesos". Today the fine is up to ₱40,000.
- Republic Act No. 11926 (2022) took firearms out of paragraph 1. The 1930 text punished anyone who "shall discharge any firearm, rocket, firecracker, or other explosive". The current text keeps only rockets, firecrackers and other explosives.
Firing a gun is now covered by Article 254. Its paragraph (b) punishes the wilful and indiscriminate discharge of a firearm with arresto mayor in its maximum period, a heavier penalty, and the offender's firearm license is cancelled.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for alarms and scandals?
Arresto menor (1 to 30 days) or a fine not exceeding ₱40,000. Republic Act No. 10951 raised the fine from the original 200 pesos.
Is a drunk person shouting in the street committing alarms and scandals?
It can be. Article 155(4) punishes anyone who, while intoxicated or otherwise, causes any disturbance or scandal in public places, unless the facts make Article 153 on tumults apply instead.
Is firing a gun into the air still alarms and scandals?
No. Republic Act No. 11926 (2022) removed firearms from Article 155. Indiscriminate discharge of a firearm is now punished under Article 254(b), with a heavier penalty and cancellation of the firearm license.
Are firecrackers covered by Article 155?
Yes, when someone discharges a rocket, firecracker or other explosive within a town or public place in a way calculated to cause alarm or danger. Other firecracker rules come from separate laws and ordinances.
How long do I have to file a complaint for alarms and scandals?
The penalty is arresto menor or a fine of up to ₱40,000, which Article 9 calls a light felony. Article 90 says light offenses prescribe in two months.
General information, not legal advice. For your case, ask a lawyer, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or the agency.
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