FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1677

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The family and its members, just like any individual, should enjoy the right
to privacy. Although certain surveys and studies being conducted by the
government and private entities require family members to answer delicate or
offensive questions, it should be emphasized that they have the choice of refusing
to answer such.

This bill intends to institutionalize the measures that will restrict certain
information from being divulged if doing so is against the will of the source. It gives.
special concern to minors, taking into consideration their relatively limited and
innocent understandings of things and events

This bill shall be enforced especially in cases wherein the information to be
revealed will cause undesirable results to the minors, as well as to the other
members of the family, and to their relationship as a whole.

For these reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RUI Uelprove
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MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

577
House Bill No. 1677

AN ACT
INSTITUTING FAMILY PRIVACY PROTECTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Family Privacy
Protection Act”.

SEC. 2. Definition of Minor. - Any child who is less than eighteen (18)
years of age shall be considered a minor.

SEC. 3. Family Privacy Protection

(a) Restriction on Seeking Information from Minors - Notwithstanding any
other provision of law and subject to Section 6, in conducting a program
or activity funded by the government, a person may not, without the prior
written consent of at least one parent or guardian of a minor or, in the
case of emancipated minor, the prior consent of the minor, require or
otherwise seek the response of the minor to a survey or questionnaire
which is intended to elicit, or has the effect of eliciting, information about
the minor's family concerning any of the following:

1) Parental political affiliations or beliefs

2) Mental or psychological problems

3) Sexual behavior or attitudes

4) Illegal, antisocial or self-incriminating behavior


5) Appraisals of other individuals with whom the minor has a filial
relationship

6) Relationships that are legally recognized as privileged,
including those with lawyers, physicians and members of the
clergy

7) Religious affiliations or beliefs

(b) General Exceptions - Subsection (a) shall not apply to any of the
following:

1) Information for the purpose of a criminal investigation or
adjudication

e4

Inquiry made in pursuant to a good faith concern for the health,
safety, or welfare of an individual minor

3

Administration of the immigration, internal revenue or custom
laws of the Philippines

4)

Information required by law to determine eligibility for participation
in an organization, program or for receiving financial assistance

5)

Academic performance tests except to the extent that questions
in such tests would require a minor to reveal information listed
under subsection (a)

SEC. 4. Notification Procedures. - The head of any department or
agency of the government which provides funds for any program or activity
involving the gathering of information from a minor to any survey or questionnaire
shall establish procedures by which the department or agency shall notify minors
and their parents of protections provided under this Act. The procedures shall also
provide for advance public availability of each questionnaire or surveys to which a
response from a minor is sought.

SEC. 5. Compliance. — The head of each government department or
agency shall establish such procedures necessary to ensure compliance with this
Act. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to foreclose any individual from
obtaining judicial relief.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.


SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of the Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,