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Article 91. Computation of prescription of offenses. - The period of prescription shall commence to run from the day on which the crime is discovered by the offended party, the authorities, or their agents, and shall be interrupted by the filing of the complaint or information, and shall commence to run again when such proceedings terminate without the accused being convicted or acquitted, or are unjustifiably stopped for any reason not imputable to him.

The term of prescription shall not run when the offender is absent from the Philippine Archipelago.

NOTES:

If there is nothing concealed (appears in a public document), the crime commences to run on the date of the commission.

The period of prescription for crimes which continue never runs.

Crime needs to be discovered by:
1. offended party
2. authorities
3. their agents

If a person witnesses the crime but only tells the authorities 25 years later, the prescription commences on the day the authorities were told.

What Interrupts Prescription?
1. Preliminary examination or investigation, which is similar to a judicial proceeding
2. Filing the proper complaint with the prosecutor’s office. Police not included.
3. Filing a complaint with the court that has proper jurisdiction

The Period Commences To Run Again When The Proceeding Is Terminated:
1. Without the accused being convicted or acquitted
2. The proceeding is unjustifiably stopped for a reason not imputable to the offender.

When such proceedings terminate – termination that is final; an unappealed conviction or acquittal

Unjustifiably stopped for any reason – ex: accused evades arrest, proceedings must be stopped

NOTE:

Art. 91 applies to a special law when said law does not provide for the application but only provides for the period of prescription.