What are the legal consequences of minor shoplifting in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, shoplifting is classified as theft under Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code. Theft, including shoplifting, occurs when someone unlawfully takes personal property belonging to another person, with the intent to gain, and without the owner's consent. Even if the item stolen is of minor value, it still constitutes theft under Philippine law.

Penalties for Minor Shoplifting

The penalties for theft, including shoplifting, vary depending on the value of the goods stolen. Under Article 309 of the Revised Penal Code, the penalties are scaled according to the value of the property:

If the value of the property stolen does not exceed ₱500: The penalty is arresto menor in its medium and maximum periods (which ranges from one month and one day to six months).
If the value exceeds ₱500 but does not exceed ₱5,000: The penalty is arresto mayor in its medium period to prision correccional in its minimum period (which ranges from six months and one day to two years and four months).
If the value exceeds ₱5,000 but does not exceed ₱12,000: The penalty is prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods (which ranges from six months and one day to four years and two months).
If the value exceeds ₱12,000: The penalty increases proportionally with the value of the stolen goods, leading up to prision mayor in its maximum period to reclusion temporal in its minimum period (which can range from twelve years and one day to twenty years), especially in cases where the value is significantly high.

Considerations for Minors

If the person caught shoplifting is a minor, the situation is handled differently. The Philippines’ Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344) protects children in conflict with the law (CICL). A minor below the age of 15 at the time of the offense is exempt from criminal liability but may be subjected to an intervention program. Minors aged 15 but below 18 years old are also exempt from criminal liability unless they acted with discernment. If discernment is established, they may be subjected to appropriate proceedings but with considerations under juvenile justice laws.

Civil Liability

Aside from criminal penalties, individuals caught shoplifting may also be held civilly liable. This means they may be required to pay restitution for the value of the stolen goods, as well as any additional damages the store may claim due to the theft.

Summary

In conclusion, shoplifting, regardless of the value of the items stolen, is a criminal offense in the Philippines with varying penalties depending on the value of the stolen goods. For minors, the law provides specific protections, focusing more on rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, civil liabilities can still apply in such cases, requiring offenders to compensate for the losses caused by their actions.