Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa in session assembled:

SECTION 1. The fourth paragraph of Presidential Decree Numbered Four hundred and one, dated March 1, 1974, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"NOW, THEREFORE, I FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me 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, gas, electrical or telephone connection without previous authority from any authorized public utility, or service entity concerned, whether government or privately owned, as the case may be; tampers and/or knowingly uses tampered water, gas or electric meters or other devices whereby water, gas or electricity is stolen; steals water, gas, electric and/or electric meter or water, gas, electric and/or telephone wires, piped gas pipes or conduits and poles; knowingly possesses stolen water, gas, and/or electric meters as well as stolen water, gas, electric and poles; 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, without prejudice to the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1612. If the violation is committed with the connivance or permission of an employee or officer of the utility or service entity concerned, such employee or officer, shall, upon conviction, be punished by prision correccional and forthwith be perpetually disqualified from employment in any public or private utility or service company."

SEC. 2. All laws, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 12, 1985.