Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

10684

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is tasked to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes,
maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security. The PNP basically ensures
that we all live in a safe and secured community. Consequently, we have the duty to reciprocate the
same protection to the officers and personnel of the PNP performing law enforcement activities
through the mandatory installation of dashboard camera or dashcam in all PNP-owned vehicles.

Research indicates that people modify their behavior when they know that they are under
observation. In relation to the use of dashcam, individuals who might have been inclined to act
aggressively, abusively or antisocially tend to modify their behavior when they know that they are
being filmed or recorded. Therefore, the use of dashcam could enhance the safety not only of the police
officer, but also of all the parties involved during law enforcement activities.

Recordings from dashcam can solidify what happened in a questionable event and it may be
used as evidence in prosecution of offenses. It also ensures the availability of data that will support the
legality of the performance of duty of a police officer.

This representation seeks to provide for the mandatory installation of dashboard camera or
dashcam in all vehicles owned by the Philippine National Police. Dashcam must be activated during
law enforcement activities and shall not be deactivated until the activity is concluded.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

10684

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY INSTALLATION OF DASHBOARD CAMERAS OR
“DASHCAM” SYSTEMS IN VEHICLES OWNED BY THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

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 “Dashcam Act of the Philippines”.

Sec 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to strengthen public trust in our
law enforcement officers, to protect them from wrongful accusations of abuse in the lawful discharge
of their functions, and to provide a deterrent for actual abuse from occurring. This law will provide for
an effective law enforcement operation - from investigation, apprehension, detention, and prosecution

by utilizing sound and modern procedure in crime investigation.

Sec 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined as follows:
a) Alternative Recording Device is an electronic camera system which is not a dashboard camera or
dashcam, that is capable of creating, generating, sending, receiving, storing, displaying, and
processing audio-visual recordings. It shall have at least the same minimum standard

requirements as that of a dashboard camera or dashcam provided under this Act.

b) Dashboard Camera or “Dashcam” is a small video camera that is typically mounted in or around
the dashboard of a car. It is capable of creating, generating, sending, receiving, storing,
displaying, and processing audio-visual recordings, and shall be installed in the vehicle at all
times especially during law enforcement activities. It shall comply with the minimum standard
equivalent as shall be provided in the implementing rules of this Act.



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©) Data custodian is an officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) performing law enforcement
activities, who has the sole responsibility of storing and safekeeping data recorded from
dashcam.

d) PNP-Owned Vehicle is any vehicle issued to the Philippine National Police and sourced from the
regular appropriations, special releases, donations, and the like. It is a property of the PNP and
used in the discharge of the PNP’s mandate.

e)

Recording is a digital material generated as a result of using dashcam or alternative recording
devices, which contains images and audio-video footages. It shall include the copies of the

material created by way of copying to portable media storage and other data repositories.

Sec 4, Mandatory Installation of Dashcam in All PNP-owned Vehicle - At least one (1) dashcam, or such
number as necessary, to capture and record the relevant incidents during law enforcement operations
shall be installed in all PNP-owned vehicles. Should the dashcam be unavailable, at least two
alternative recording devices must be used. The officers having such recording device shall ensure that
they are worn in a conspicuous location and in a manner that maximizes their ability to capture a
recording of the law enforcement activity.

Both video and audio recording functions of the dashcam or recording device shall be activated
as soon as the officers perform a law enforcement activity. Subject to existing laws and regulations, the
dashcam or recording device shall not be deactivated until the law enforcement activity has been fully

concluded.

Sec 5. Archiving of Recordings - The data custodian shall keep an archive of the recordings captured by
the dashcam or alternative recording device installed in all PNP-owned vehicles. Provided, That any
unauthorized and unlawful use, distribution, sale and purchase, and publication of recordings and
information shall be the subject of appropriate civil, criminal, or administrative charges.

Sec 6. Confidentiality of Recordings - Recordings from dashcam or alternative recording device shall
remain confidential from any type of viewing, distribution, publication, and personal documentation
except when for evidentiary purposes, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
(LTFRB), government personnel, legal bodies, and able courts request for the copy of the recordings as
part of an investigation or prosecution of an offense.

Any form of tampering and unlawful disclosure of the recording shall be the subject of

appropriate civil, criminal, or administrative charges.

See 7. Appropriation - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the

annual General Appropriations Act.



Sec 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
Department of Interior and Local Government, in consultation with the Philippine National Police and
other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement

the provisions of this Act.

Sec 9, 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 10. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction,
administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is

hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec 11. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,