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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _6108

Introduced by Representative Marissa Lourdes M. Andaya

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The advancement in technology, particularly the onset of intemet, has
shattered world barriers and has empowered its users with immense information
which 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 making its users emboldened to post indiscriminately without a
sense of accountability. Internet bashing has become a culture among internet
users and has spawned problems that involve hostility and aggression.

Cyber-bullying has become widespread making its effect far more damaging.
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.

Our constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech should not be
infringed but this right must be exercised with responsibility. This bill seeks to
protect every citizen from cruelty in the virtual world by defining the scope of cyber-
bullying and imposing the corresponding penal sanctions. By penalizing acts of
cyber-bullying, people are encouraged to become responsible netizens and make
them accountable for their cyber-actions.

In view of our effort to make cyberspace a safe place for everyone, the
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MARISSA LOGRDI |. ANDAYA


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
6108

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Marissa Lourdes M. Andaya

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 2020.”

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;

=

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 Department on
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ),
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,