REVISED PENAL CODE: Article 1 & 2

More often, professors in Criminal Law 1 require their students to memorize Articles 1-20 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. In my experience, flash cards have helped me a lot in memorizing codal provisions. I always had a hard time memorizing things that I do not understand. In order for me to overcome such shortcoming, I create mind maps, breakdown the provisions into phrases, and color code my codals. 

BOOK ONE

General Provisions Regarding the Date of Enforcement and Application of the Provisions of this Code, and Regarding the Offenses, the Persons Liable and the Penalties

PRELIMINARY TITLE

Date of Effectiveness and Application of the Provisions of This Code

ARTICLE 1. Time When Act Takes Effect. — This Code shall take effect on the first day of January, nineteen hundred and thirty-two.

ARTICLE 2. Application of Its Provisions. — Except as provided in the treaties and laws of preferential application, the provisions of this Code shall be enforced not only within the Philippine Archipelago, including its atmosphere, its interior waters and maritime zone, but also outside of its jurisdiction, against those who:

1. Should commit an offense while on a Philippine ship or airship;

2. Should forge or counterfeit any coin or currency note of the Philippine Islands or obligations and securities issued by the Government of the Philippine Islands;

3. Should be liable for acts connected with the introduction into these islands of the obligations and securities mentioned in the preceding number;

4. While being public officers or employees, should commit an offense in the exercise of their functions; or

5. Should commit any of the crimes against national security and the law of nations, defined in Title One of Book Two of this Code.