FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
-7 
JUL -3 A955 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
REamo 
: 
Senate Bill No. 6 53 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The introduction of computers and computer networking facilitates data 
storage, information exchange and communications. 
Computers improve 
banking, telecommunications, engineering and data handling. 
The advantages offered by computers can also be used by unscrupulous 
persons in the commission of certain crimes. 
This bill seeks to penalize the use of computers and computer networks in 
the commission of a crime. 
Immediate enactment of this bill into law is earnestly sought. 
ERCITO ESTRADA 
enator 


4 
JUL -3 
Rg 25 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
'1 ' 
1;\EailVED BY t 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 653 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING THE USE OF COMPUTERS TO COMMIT, FACILITATE OR 
CONCEAL THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME. 
Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be cited as the "Computer Crimes 
Act". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to prevent 
the use of computers in committing acts penalized under the Revised Penal 
Code and other special laws. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act, the term: 
A. 
"Computer" shall refer to an electronic machine that performs 
mathematical or logical calculations or that assembles, stores, 
correlates, or otherwise processes and prints information derived 
from coded data in accordance with a predetermined program and 
shall include word processors, laptop computers, mainframes or 
personal computers. 
SEC 4. Prohibited Activities. - It shall be unlawful: 
A. 
to use and operate a computer or computer network primarily to 
facilitate criminal activity or primarily to commit activities prohibited 
under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws; 
B. 
to use a computer or computer network to transmit a 
communication intended to conceal or hide the origin of money or 
other assets, tangible or intangible, that were derived from the 
commission of a crime; 


C. 
to use a computer or computer network to conceal, obliterate or 
hide the identity of persons guilty of committing a crime or an 
offense; and 
to use a computer or computer network to conceal or hide the 
commission of a crime or an offense and the evidence thereof. 
D. 
SEC. 5. Penalty. - Any person guilty of the violation of this Act shall be 
punished by: 
A. 
ten (IO) to fifteen (15) years imprisonment and a fine of not less 
than twenty thousand pesos (P20,OOO.OO) but not more than fifty 
thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) if the crime is committed against 
national security; 
B. 
five (5) to ten (IO) years imprisonment if the crime committed is 
against persons or property. 
The crime is qualified if the computer used is a computer of the 
Government of the Philippines. 
SEC. 6. Prosecution for the violation of this Act is without prejudice to 
prosecution under any appropriate crime or offense enumerated in the Revised 
Penal Code and in other special laws. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 8. 
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 this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,