Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______
Introduced by Representative ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global economy, with its potential to enhance 
productivity, improve the delivery of public services, and drive economic growth. While the Philippines 
recognizes the importance of AI in the development of the country, the rapid pace of technological 
advancement in AI also poses risks and challenges that must be addressed to ensure that the benefits of AI 
are maximized, and its negative impacts are minimized if not avoided. 
This bill entitled "An Act Promoting the Development and Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the 
Philippines" seeks to address the potential risks and challenges by providing for a comprehensive framework 
for the development and regulation of AI in the Philippines. It aims to foster an environment that promotes 
the responsible and ethical development of AI, while also ensuring that its deployment is aligned with the 
values and interests of the Filipino people. 
In a nutshell, the proposed legislation defines AI as an umbrella term that encompasses various 
forms of technology, including machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and natural language 
processing. It outlines the principles of responsible AI development, which include transparency, fairness, 
accountability, and privacy. It likewise requires organizations that develop or deploy AI technologies to 
adhere to these principles and to conduct risk assessments and impact analyses before deploying their 
technologies.  Moreover, it includes provisions to protect the privacy and personal data of individuals, to 
prevent discrimination and bias in AI technologies, and to ensure that AI systems are safe and secure. It 
further requires organizations to be transparent about their use of AI and to provide meaningful explanations 
for the decisions made by AI systems. 
To undertake the foregoing tasks, duties and responsibilities, the proposed measure establishes an 
agency to be known as the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA) which will be responsible for 
the development and implementation of a national AI strategy. The strategy will promote research and 
development in AI, support the growth of AI-related industries, and enhance the skills of the Filipino 
workforce in the field of AI. The AIDA will also be tasked with regulating the development and deployment 
of AI technologies in the Philippines, ensuring that these technologies are aligned with the principles of 
responsible AI development. 
It is hoped that this bill will enable the Philippines to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing 
its negative impacts, and to position the country as a leader in the responsible and ethical development of 
this transformative technology. 
ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS 
March 1, 2023
6:53 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______
Introduced by Representative ROBER ACE S. BARBERS 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION 
OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Artificial Intelligence Development 
and Regulation Act of the Philippines." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
the development of artificial intelligence in the Philippines, while ensuring that its development 
and deployment are aligned with national priorities, socially responsible, and respectful of human 
rights. The State recognizes the potential of artificial intelligence to contribute to economic growth, 
social welfare, and national security, and commits to promote its development in a way that is 
transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. 
SECTION 3. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to promote and regulate the deployment 
of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the Philippines to ensure that AI systems are 
developed, deployed, and used in a manner that is consistent with ethical principles, protects 
human rights and dignity, and serves the public interest.  This Act aims to achieve the following 
objectives: 
(a) Promote the development of AI technologies through research and development,
innovation, and entrepreneurship.
(b) Protect the rights and welfare of individuals and communities affected by AI
technologies.
(c) Ensure that AI technologies are developed, deployed, and used in a manner that
is transparent, accountable, and fair.
(d) Develop the necessary infrastructure and human capital to support the
development and deployment of AI technologies in the Philippines; and
(e) Foster international cooperation and collaboration in the development and use of
AI technologies.
SECTION 4. Definitions. For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined 
as follows: 
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(a) Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to ability of machines or computer programs, 
systems or software that are designed to perform tasks that simulate human 
intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, perception, and problem-solving.  
(b) AI system refers to a computer system or software application that utilizes AI 
technologies and techniques to perform a task or make a decision, such as machine 
learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and robotics.   
(c) AI developer refers to any person, entity, or organization that develops AI 
technologies including software and hardware.  The development of AI technologies 
includes among others the design, development, testing, or deployment of AI 
systems.  
(d) AI user refers to any person, entity, or organization that utilizes or benefits from AI 
systems, including but not limited to government agencies, private companies, and 
individuals. 
(e) AI regulator refers to any government agency or regulatory body that is responsible 
for overseeing the development and deployment of AI systems. 
(f) Access refers to the instruction, communication with, storing data in, retrieving data 
from, or otherwise making use of any resources of a computer system or 
communication network. 
(g) Alteration refers to the modification or change, in form or substance, of an existing 
computer data or program. 
(h) Computer refers to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other data 
processing or communications device, or grouping of such devices, capable of 
performing logical, arithmetic, routing or storage functions, and which includes any 
storage facility or equipment, or communications facility or equipment directly 
related to or operating in conjunction with such device. It covers any type of 
computer device, including devices with data processing capabilities like mobile 
phones, smart phones, computer networks and other devices connected to the 
internet. 
i) Computer program or Application refers to a set of instructions executed by the 
computer to achieve intended results. 
j)  Computer system refers to any device or group of interconnected or related devices, 
one or more of which, pursuant to a program, performs automated processing of 
data. It covers any type of device with data processing capabilities, including, but 
not limited to, computers and mobile phones. The device consisting of hardware 
and software may include input, output and storage components, which may stand 
alone or be connected to a network or other similar devices. It also includes 
computer data storage devices or media. 
k)  Critical infrastructure refers to the computer systems, and/or networks, whether 
physical or virtual, and/or the computer programs, computer data and/or traffic data 
that are so vital to this country that the incapacity or destruction of or interference 
with such system and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national 


or economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those 
matters. 
l) Cybersecurity refers to the collection of tools, policies, risk management approaches, 
actions, training, best practices, assurance and technologies that can be used to 
protect the cyber environment, and organization and user’s assets. 
m) Transparency means the quality or state of being open, accountable, and easily 
understood. 
SECTION 5. Establishment of AI Development Authority (AIDA). An artificial 
intelligence body to be known as Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA) is hereby 
created and established to oversee the development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring 
compliance with AI ethics principles and guidelines, and protecting the rights and welfare of 
individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.  
Composition.  The Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA), under the 
administrative supervision of the Office of the President, shall be governed by a Board of Trustees 
composed of permanent and ex-officio members, as follows: 
1. Permanent Board Members.  The permanent members include the following:  
a. Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology - Information 
and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) as Chairman 
b. Head of the ICT Industry Development Bureau of the Department of Information 
and Communications Technology (DICT-IIDB) as Vice-Chairman 
c. Head of the National Computer Center. 
d. One (1) representative from the private sector who should be experts in the 
fields of information technology specializing artificial intelligence, law, ethics, 
social science, and other relevant disciplines. 
e. One (1) representative from the academe who should be experts in the fields of 
information technology specializing artificial intelligence, law, ethics, social 
science, and other relevant disciplines.   
2. Ex-Officio Members.  The ex-officio members include the heads or their deputies, 
assistants, or next-in-rank of the following agencies: 
a. National Privacy Commission (NPC)  
b. Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OC) 
c. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)  
d. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cyber Command  
e. Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)  
f. 
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)  
g. Securities and Exchange Commission 
h. Such other offices, agencies and/or units, as may be necessary 
 
Meetings of the Board.  The Board of Trustees of the Artificial Intelligence Development 
Authority (AIDA) shall meet once a week or as often as necessary at the discretion of the Chairman 
or at the call of any three (3) other members. The presence of majority of the permanent members 
and of the ex-officio members shall constitute a quorum. 
SECTION 6. Secretariat. The AIDA Secretariat serves as the implementing arm of the 
Board and shall be responsible for the efficient and effective enforcement of all the provisions of 


this Act. It shall be headed by the Executive Director and two (2) Deputy Executive Directors.  The 
Board shall recommend to the President of the Philippines the appointment of an Executive 
Director who shall be the Secretary of the Board and at the same time the executive officer having 
direct control and supervision of the AIDA. He/she must possess adequate knowledge, training, 
and experience for at least seven (7) years in the field of information technology and recently on 
artificial intelligence.   
Two Deputy Executive Directors for administration and for operations shall also be 
appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Board. They shall possess the same 
qualifications as those of the Executive Director. They shall receive a salary corresponding to their 
position as prescribed by the Salary Standardization Law as a Career Service Officer. 
SECTION 7. Regulation of AI Development and Deployment. The AIDA shall have the 
general mandate and power to oversee the development and deployment of AI technologies, 
ensure compliance with AI ethics principles and guidelines, and protect the rights and welfare of 
individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.  Specifically, it shall be responsible for: 
(a) Developing a national AI development and regulation strategy that aligns with 
national priorities and international standards including but not limited to 
requirements for AI impact assessments, data protection, and transparency in AI 
decision-making. 
(c) Conducting research and development activities to promote the advancement of 
AI technology in the Philippines. 
(b) Providing guidance and support to AI developers and users on ethical and 
responsible development and deployment of AI technologies in the Philippines. 
(a) Establishing standards and guidelines for legal, ethical and responsible AI 
development, use and deployment, and enforcing them by conducting 
investigations and penalizing violations of said AI ethics principles, standards, and 
guidelines. 
(d) Establishing licensing and certification requirements for AI developers and 
deployers so that they shall be required to register with AIDA and comply with its 
regulations and guidelines. Failure to register or comply with the regulations and 
guidelines of the Council shall be considered a violation of this Act and subject to 
applicable administrative penalties and sanctions. 
(e) Ensuring that personal data collected, used, and processed by AI systems are 
protected in accordance with Republic Act 10173 otherwise known as the Data 
Privacy Act of 2012 and other relevant laws and regulations. 
(f) Developing data security and cybersecurity standards for AI systems to protect 
against cyber-attacks and hacking.  
(g) Establishing a mechanism for reporting and addressing complaints and grievances 
related to the deployment of AI systems in the Philippines. 
(h) Monitoring and evaluating the development and deployment of AI systems in the 
Philippines and, except when national security and interest is involved, it shall 


regularly report to the public on the state of AI development and its impact on 
society. 
SECTION 8. Promotion of AI Development. The AIDA shall establish programs and 
initiatives that promote AI research and development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a 
focus on developing AI technologies that address the country's most pressing social and 
economic challenges.  It shall promote the development of AI in the country through employment 
of any or combination of the following measures:  
(a) Providing funding and support for AI research and development activities. 
(b) Encouraging partnerships between academic institutions, private companies, and 
government agencies to promote AI development. 
(c) Promoting the adoption of AI in government agencies and private companies to 
improve efficiency and productivity. 
(d) Providing incentives for AI developers and users who adhere to ethical and 
responsible AI development and deployment practices. 
(e) Promoting the development of AI talent and skills in the Philippines through 
education and training programs. 
SECTION 9. International Cooperation and Collaboration. The AIDA shall undertake 
international cooperation and collaboration in the development and use of AI technologies, 
including through partnerships with other countries, international organizations, and the private 
sector.  It shall participate in international efforts to develop global norms and standards for the 
development and use of AI technologies and shall work to ensure that these norms and standards 
are consistent with Philippine laws, regulations, and values. 
SECTION 10. Appropriations. The government shall allocate funds for the 
implementation of this Act, including the establishment and operation of the AI regulatory authority 
or commission and the promotion of AI research and development. 
SECTION 11. Penal Provisions. Any person or entity that violates the provisions of this 
Act, including the AI ethics principles and guidelines, shall be penalized in accordance with the 
penalties provided for under existing laws and regulations. 
SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The AI regulatory authority shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act, in consultation 
with relevant stakeholders. 
SECTION 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its last publication 
in the Official Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.