Section 16Sec./Art. 16

A new section is hereby inserted between Sections 17 and 18 of the same decree, as amended, to be designated as Section 17-A, to read as follows:

"Section 17-A. Penal Provisions. Any person who through malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance allows a spurious claim to be paid, including the claimant himself, shall upon final conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) or both at the discretion of the court. The PCIC personnel who allowed the commission of the offense shall, in addition, be dismissed from office, and forfeit all privileges and benefits which may accrue to him."