BJMP Entrance Exam BJMP Knowledge — Philippine Penal Laws OverviewCheat Sheet
Cheat sheet for BJMP Entrance Exam BJMP Knowledge — Philippine Penal Laws Overview. Compact, printable, and organised around the concepts Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) tests most frequently in the BJMP Entrance Exam 2026. Perfect for the week before exam day.
Exam context
For the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Entrance Examination, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) tests BJMP Knowledge under a "Core" label, with Philippine Penal Laws Overview in the 3rd slot across 3 chapters. BJMP Entrance Exam candidates must clear the BJMP-set percentile cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about a meaningful share of BJMP Knowledge questions. Date to watch: Announced by BJMP per cycle.
Philippine Penal Laws Overview - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering Philippine Penal Laws essential for BJMP entrance examinations
Sections
Section Title
Revised Penal Code (RPC) Fundamentals
Important Facts
- RPC has two books: Book One (general principles) and Book Two (specific crimes)
- Based on Spanish Penal Code but amended many times since 1930
- Still the principal criminal code of the Philippines today
- Elements of crime: actus reus, mens rea, concurrence, causation
Key Definitions
Term
Revised Penal Code
Example
Book One covers general principles, Book Two covers specific crimes
Definition
Act No. 3815 of 1930, the principal criminal code of the Philippines based on Spanish Penal Code
Term
Actus Reus
Example
Physical act of taking someone else's property in theft
Definition
The criminal act or wrongful conduct that constitutes a crime
Term
Mens Rea
Example
Intent to kill in murder cases
Definition
Criminal intent or the mental state required to commit a crime
Diagrams To Know
- RPC structure diagram showing Book One and Book Two divisions
- Elements of crime interconnection diagram
Section Title
Classification of Crimes and Stages
Important Facts
- Three stages of execution: consummated, frustrated, attempted
- Classification affects penalty severity
- Light felonies cannot be frustrated, only consummated or attempted
- Grave felonies have the heaviest penalties
Key Definitions
Term
Grave Felonies
Example
Murder, rape, robbery with violence
Definition
Crimes punishable by capital or afflictive penalties
Term
Less Grave Felonies
Example
Theft, estafa, physical injuries
Definition
Crimes punishable by correctional penalties
Term
Light Felonies
Example
Slight physical injuries, malicious mischief
Definition
Crimes punishable by arresto menor or fine
Term
Consummated Crime
Example
Theft when property is taken and possessed by the thief
Definition
Crime that has been completed with all elements present
Term
Frustrated Crime
Example
Shooting with intent to kill but victim survives
Definition
All acts of execution done but desired result not achieved
Term
Attempted Crime
Example
Pointing gun at victim but unable to fire
Definition
Commenced execution but not all acts performed
Diagrams To Know
- Crime classification pyramid from light to grave
- Stages of execution flowchart
Section Title
Major Crime Categories
Important Facts
- Crimes against persons include parricide, murder, homicide, physical injuries
- Crimes against property include robbery, theft, estafa, arson
- Crimes against public order include treason, rebellion, sedition
- Rape is now governed by R.A. 8353 (Anti-Rape Law of 1997)
- Arson is governed by P.D. 1613
Key Definitions
Term
Parricide
Example
Husband killing his wife
Definition
Killing of father, mother, child, or spouse
Term
Murder
Example
Killing someone while they sleep (treachery)
Definition
Unlawful killing with qualifying circumstances like treachery or premeditation
Term
Homicide
Example
Killing in the heat of passion without treachery
Definition
Unlawful killing without qualifying circumstances
Term
Robbery
Example
Taking money at gunpoint
Definition
Taking personal property with violence or intimidation
Term
Theft
Example
Taking someone's wallet without them knowing
Definition
Taking personal property without violence or consent
Term
Estafa
Example
Taking money with promise to invest but keeping it
Definition
Swindling or defrauding another through deceit
Diagrams To Know
- Crime categories tree showing major classifications
- Comparison chart of parricide vs murder vs homicide
Section Title
Modifying Circumstances
Important Facts
- Justifying and exempting circumstances eliminate criminal liability completely
- Mitigating circumstances only reduce penalty
- Aggravating circumstances increase penalty
- Some circumstances are alternative (can be mitigating or aggravating)
- Qualifying circumstances change the name of the crime
Key Definitions
Term
Justifying Circumstances
Example
Self-defense, defense of relatives, fulfillment of duty
Definition
Circumstances that completely eliminate criminal liability
Term
Exempting Circumstances
Example
Insanity, minority under 15, accident without fault
Definition
Circumstances that exempt the accused from criminal liability
Term
Mitigating Circumstances
Example
Voluntary surrender, passion and obfuscation, voluntary plea of guilty
Definition
Circumstances that reduce the penalty but do not eliminate liability
Term
Aggravating Circumstances
Example
Recidivism, dwelling, nighttime, treachery
Definition
Circumstances that increase the penalty
Diagrams To Know
- Modifying circumstances classification chart
- Effect of circumstances on criminal liability flowchart
Common Values
Value
20 years 1 day to 40 years
Symbol
RP
Quantity
Reclusion Perpetua
Value
12 years 1 day to 20 years
Symbol
RT
Quantity
Reclusion Temporal
Value
6 years 1 day to 12 years
Symbol
PM
Quantity
Prision Mayor
Value
1 day to 30 days
Symbol
AM
Quantity
Arresto Menor
Section Title
Penalties System
Important Facts
- Capital penalty (death) currently abolished since 2006
- Afflictive penalties: reclusion perpetua, reclusion temporal, prision mayor
- Correctional penalties: prision correccional, arresto mayor
- Light penalties: arresto menor (1 day to 30 days)
- Accessory penalties include civil interdiction and suspension of rights
Key Definitions
Term
Reclusion Perpetua
Example
Penalty for murder
Definition
20 years and 1 day to 40 years imprisonment
Term
Reclusion Temporal
Example
Penalty for homicide
Definition
12 years and 1 day to 20 years imprisonment
Term
Prision Mayor
Example
Penalty for serious physical injuries
Definition
6 years and 1 day to 12 years imprisonment
Term
Prision Correccional
Example
Penalty for theft
Definition
6 months and 1 day to 6 years imprisonment
Diagrams To Know
- Penalty classification pyramid from light to capital
- Penalty duration timeline
Common Values
Value
15 years old
Symbol
MACR
Quantity
Minimum age of criminal responsibility
Value
16 years old
Symbol
AOC
Quantity
Age of sexual consent
Value
50 million pesos
Symbol
₱50M
Quantity
Plunder threshold
Section Title
Special Penal Laws
Important Facts
- R.A. 9165 establishes PDEA and mandates drug testing
- R.A. 10591 regulates firearms and ammunition
- R.A. 10175 covers cybercrime prevention
- R.A. 11313 is the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos)
- R.A. 11479 is the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
- Age of sexual consent raised to 16 by R.A. 11648
Key Definitions
Term
R.A. 9165
Example
Penalizes possession, sale, manufacture of illegal drugs
Definition
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
Term
R.A. 9262
Example
Defines physical, psychological, sexual, economic abuse
Definition
Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004
Term
R.A. 9344
Example
Children below 15 exempt from criminal liability
Definition
Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006
Term
R.A. 9745
Example
No exception for torture, critical for BJMP officers
Definition
Anti-Torture Act of 2009
Diagrams To Know
- Timeline of major special penal laws
- Special laws categorization by subject matter
Section Title
Criminal Procedure and Court System
Important Facts
- Court hierarchy: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, RTC, MTC
- Sandiganbayan handles anti-graft cases for public officials
- Bail allowed for all except capital offenses with strong evidence of guilt
- Criminal procedure: investigation → filing → preliminary investigation → arraignment → trial
- Both criminal and civil liability arise from crimes
Key Definitions
Term
Preliminary Investigation
Example
Prosecutor reviews evidence before filing charges
Definition
Inquiry to determine if probable cause exists to file information in court
Term
Arraignment
Example
Accused pleads guilty or not guilty
Definition
Formal reading of charges where accused enters plea
Term
Bail
Example
Cash or property bond to ensure appearance in court
Definition
Security for temporary release from custody pending trial
Diagrams To Know
- Court system hierarchy pyramid
- Criminal procedure flowchart from investigation to judgment
Section Title
Important Laws and Reforms
Important Facts
- Indeterminate Sentence Law (Act No. 4103) promotes rehabilitation
- Probation Law (P.D. 968) allows community service
- GCTA (R.A. 10592) subject to ongoing reforms
- Diversion programs for juveniles preferred over detention
- Plea bargaining allowed with court approval
Key Definitions
Term
Indeterminate Sentence Law
Example
6 months and 1 day to 2 years and 4 months
Definition
Court imposes minimum and maximum sentence range for rehabilitation
Term
Probation Law
Example
First-time offender serves probation instead of imprisonment
Definition
Allows serving sentence in community under supervision
Term
GCTA
Example
Early release for model prisoners
Definition
Good Conduct Time Allowance reduces sentence for good behavior
Diagrams To Know
- Sentencing options flowchart
- Reform measures timeline
Must Remember
- RPC (Act No. 3815 of 1930) is the principal criminal code with Book One (principles) and Book Two (crimes)
- Crime elements: actus reus, mens rea, concurrence, causation - ALL must be present
- Three stages of execution: attempted, frustrated, consummated - affects penalty
- Justifying and exempting circumstances eliminate liability; mitigating reduces penalty; aggravating increases penalty
- Penalty classifications: Capital (abolished), Afflictive, Correctional, Light
- Children below 15 are exempt from criminal liability (R.A. 9344)
- R.A. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) - NO exceptions, critical for BJMP officers
- R.A. 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act) - life imprisonment possible, PDEA enforcement
- Court hierarchy: Supreme Court → Court of Appeals → RTC → MTC
- GCTA, probation, and indeterminate sentence promote rehabilitation
Last Minute Tips
- Focus on the differences between parricide, murder, and homicide - victim relationship and qualifying circumstances
- Memorize the age limits: below 15 (exempt), 15-18 with discernment (liable), sexual consent at 16
- Remember R.A. numbers: 9165 (drugs), 9262 (VAWC), 9344 (juvenile), 9745 (torture)
- For modifying circumstances, think: justifying/exempting = NO liability, mitigating/aggravating = penalty change only
- BJMP officers must know Anti-Torture Act (R.A. 9745) - it's specifically mentioned as critical for jail officers
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Father, mother, child, spouse
- Family relationship
- Reclusion Perpetua to Death
Property
Parricide
Values
- Any person
- Treachery, premeditation, etc.
- Reclusion Perpetua to Death
Property
Murder
Values
- Any person
- None
- Reclusion Temporal
Property
Homicide
Columns
- Crime
- Victim
- Qualifying Circumstances
- Penalty
Table Title
Parricide vs Murder vs Homicide
Rows
Values
- Eliminates
- No penalty
- Self-defense, duty
Property
Justifying
Values
- Eliminates
- No penalty
- Insanity, minority
Property
Exempting
Values
- Remains
- Reduces
- Voluntary surrender
Property
Mitigating
Values
- Remains
- Increases
- Recidivism, dwelling
Property
Aggravating
Columns
- Type
- Effect on Liability
- Effect on Penalty
- Examples
Table Title
Modifying Circumstances Effects
Rows
Values
- Yes
- No
- Force or intimidation
Property
Robbery
Values
- No
- No
- Taking without consent
Property
Theft
Values
- No
- Yes
- Fraud or deceit
Property
Estafa
Columns
- Crime
- Violence/Intimidation
- Deceit
- Key Element
Table Title
Robbery vs Theft vs Estafa
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