Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill Number__9'718

Introduced by Representative ROLANDO G. ANDAYA, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The onset of the internet has shattered world barriers empowering users with
immense information and allowed them to be socially connected to virtually anybody
around the globe in the comfort of their own homes.

Because of the anonymity that the internet gives, social and moral norms are
easily switched off and users are emboldened to just say or post anything online
without accountability. Internet bashing has become a culture among internet users
and even spawned problems that involve hostility and aggression.

Cyber-bullying is one such problem that the advancement in technology and
social media has generated, It can potentially affect not only school-aged children,
but also any individual who has access to a mobile phone or the internet. Its harm is
far more damaging because the trauma that it can inflict, even when no physical
injury is involved, can strip one’s dignity, sow fear or incite violence in an
environment that has no boundaries and where malicious posts can be distributed
rapidly

This bill seeks to protect every citizen from the cruelty of cyber-bullying. By
penalizing acts of cyber-bullying, people are encouraged to become responsible
netizens and make them accountable for their cyber-actions

Approval of this measure is earnestly requested

ROLANDO G. ANDAYA, JR.


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5718

House Bill Number

Introduced by Representative ROLANDO G. ANDAYA, JR.

AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF CYBER-BULLYING

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 “Anti Cyber-Bullying
Act of 2015,”

SEC. 2. Acts of Cyber-Bullying. ~ For purposes of this Act, “cyber-bullying”
shall refer to acts of cruelty committed using the internet or any form of electronic
media or technology that has the effect of stripping one’s dignity or causing
reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm such as, but not limited to, the
following

a) Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages;
b) Distributing derogatory information about the victim;

¢) Posting or sending offensive photos of the victim, whether these were digitally
altered or not, or were taken with or without consent, with the intention to
humiliate and embarrass the victim;

d) Breaking into an email, social networking or any electronic account and using
the victim's virtual identity to send, upload or distribute embarrassing
materials to or about others;

) Sharing the victim's personal information or any embarrassing information, or
tricking the victim into revealing personal or embarrassing information and
sharing it to others;


f) Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm or engaging in
online activities that cause fear on the victim's safety.

SEC. 3. Penalties. - The penalty of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) but
not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P'100,000.00) and imprisonment of
not less than six (6) months but not more than six (6) years, or both shall be imposed
upon any person found guilty of cyber-bullying.

SEC. 4, Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Commission on
Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Department of Justice (DOM),
and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall jointly formulate
the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from approval of this Act,
for its effective implementation

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly,

SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,