Article 144. Disturbance Of Proceedings
On Criminal Law
Article. 144. Disturbance of proceedings.- The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from Forty thousand pesos (P40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000) shall be imposed upon any person who disturbs the meetings of Congress or of any of its committees or subcommittees, Constitutional Commissions or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board, or in the presence of any such bodies should behave in such manner as to interrupt its proceedings or to impair the respect due it.
ELEMENTS:
1. An actual meeting of Congress or any of its committees, constitutional commissions, or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city, or municipal council or board; and
2. That the offender does any of the following acts
a. he disturbs any of such meetings
b. he behaves while in the presence of any such bodies in such a manner as to interrupt their proceedings or to impair the respect due to it.
NOTE:
The complaint may be filed by a member of the legislative body.
One who disturbs may also be punished for contempt by Congress.