PENALIZING THE UNAUTHORIZED INSTALLATION OF WATER, ELECTRICAL OR TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS, THE USE OF TAMPERED WATER OR ELECTRICAL METERS, AND OTHER ACTS

WHEREAS, a paramount objective of Proclamation No. 1081,
dated September 21, 1972, is to bring about the formation of a New
Society infused with a profound sense of discipline and order;

WHEREAS, the foregoing objective is being thwarted by
rampant illegal installation of water, electrical and telephone
connection, use of tampered water and electrical meters, jumpers and
other devices to steal water or electricity, at times with the
connivance of some employees and/or officers of the Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Manila Electric Company or the
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, as the case may be, and the
pilferage of water and electric meters as well as water, electric and
telephone meters; and

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for putting an end to these
illegal activities because they not only run counter to the
aforementioned objective of Proclamation No. 1081 but also prejudice the
economic well-being of both the companies concerned and the consuming
public;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and
pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General
Order No. 1 dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby order and
decree that any person who installs any water, electrical or telephone
connection without previous authority from the Metropolitan Waterworks
and Sewerage System, the Manila Electric Company or the Philippine Long
Distance Telephone Company, as the case may be; tampers and/or uses
tampered water or electrical meters or jumpers or other devices whereby
water or electricity is stolen; steals or pilfers water and/or electric
meters or water, electric and/or telephone wires; knowingly possesses
stolen or pilfered water and/or electrical meters as well as stolen or
pilfered water, electrical and/or telephone wires, shall, upon
conviction, be punished by prision correccional in its minimum
period or a fine ranging from two thousand to six thousand pesos, or
both. If the violation is committed with the connivance or permission of
an employee or officer of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage
System, or the Manila Electric Company, or the Philippine Long Distance
Telephone Company, such employee or officer shall, upon conviction, be
punished by a penalty one degree lower than prision correccional
in its minimum period and forthwith be dismissed and perpetually
disqualified from employment in any public-or private utility or service
company.

Done in the City of Manila, this 1st day of March, in the year of
Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.