The individual who posted a video on social media showing him burning a P20 banknote will face charges.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has already filed the necessary charges against the individual, according to BSP Strategic Communication and Advocacy Managing Director Antonio Lambino II.
Lambino said the BSP has been in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“That is prohibited. The BSP and the PNP have filed charges against this… Let us not intentionally destroy our banknotes because this is prohibited,” Lambino, quoted by GMA News, said.
A netizen posted a video on the social media site Tiktok showing him burning a P20 bill, which the central bank earlier flagged.
BSP Senior Investigation Officer Atty. Mark Fajardo in April said the video was taken down after receiving backlash from other netizens, and the location of the uploader has already been identified, GMA News reported.
Under Presidential Decree 247 signed by the late dictator former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1973, the defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning, or destruction of central bank notes and coins was made illegal.
The law mandates that any violator will be punished by a fine of not more than P20,000, and/or imprisonment of not more than five years.
BSP Quezon City Representative Dickenson Gamalo advised the public earlier saying “these violations can be committed even on social media. You have no escape.”
Lambino also called on the public to take care of the currency, whether they be paper bills — paper or polymer — or coins. The BSO official also noted that while the public is discouraged from stapling the bills, these are still considered legal tender even with staple marks.
“Possession and use of stapled bills is not illegal. Stapled bills should be accepted and can still be used in daily transactions,” Lambino said, adding that “the public should take care of our currency. Let us take care of our bills and our coins.”