FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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8 NV -& 
?? :. 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many countries require closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in their hospitals, For 
instance, hospitals in Vietnam are required to have CCTV cameras in their hospitals to catch 
corrupt medical staff. In Malaysia, CCTV cameras are used to protect patients undergoing 
medical operations. 
Putting closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in selected portions of the hospital has 
many advantages. First, now that CCTV cameras are required in operating rooms, patients and 
doctors now has additional security that their whole operation is being recorded so that in case of 
medical malpractice, both patient and doctor can rely on the video taken from the CCTV cameras 
to prove their respective cases. Second, since this Act also intends to require hospitals to have 
cameras in their delivery rooms and nurseries, baby switching will now be minimized if not 
totally avoided. Third, since CCTV cameras are now also required to be installed in hospital 
exits and entrances, an additional security is now provided patients and doctors alike. 
With all its benefits, some quarters will still have second thoughts on having their 
operation videotaped because of fear that the footage might appear on the internet or in other 
people’s mobile phones like the case of “Danilo”, the victim of the Vicento Sotto Memorial 
Medical Center Scandal. However, this Act makes it criminal for any person to leak footages 
captured by the hospital CCTV camera without a court order thereby giving assurance to patients 
that their privacy will be protected. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUSLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO INSTALL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) 
CAMERAS IN SELECTED PORTIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AND PENALIZING THE 
PUBLICATION OF THE VIDEO TAKEN BY THIS CAMERAS WITHOUT A C O m T  
ORDER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Hospital CCTV Act of 
2008.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the state to protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Likewise, it is also 
the declared policy of the state to respect the privacy of individuals. In this regard, CCTV 
cameras will be required in selection portions of a hospital but to ensure that the privacy of 
individuals concerned are protected, the video taken by these cameras can not be released 
without a court order. 
SECTION 3. Installation of Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in Hospitals. - 
All hospitals in the Philippines should install closed circuit television cameras in all their 
entrance and exits, operating rooms, delivery rooms, intensive care units and nurseries. 
SECTION 4. Privacy Request Paramount. - Notwithstanding Section 3, a patient or his 
legal guardian can request that the CCTV camera be turned off during his stay in the rooms 
mentioned in Section 3. In addition, in rooms with multiple occupants, a majority of the 
occupants should make the request to turn the CCTV camera off during their stay provided that 
whenever possible, the patient who does not want to be caught on CCTV camera may stay in a 
portion of the room not covered by the CCTV camera. 
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SECTION 5. Authorized Operator. - Only the authorized operator and the hospital 
director or his authorized representative is allowed access to the room where the footage of the 
CCTV cameras are monitored and stored. 
SECTION 6. Prohibition on Unauthorized Publication. - Before any still photo or video 
caught by the CCTV cameras can be made public, a publication order from the Regional Trial 
Court having jurisdiction over the hospital should be obtained. A photo or video is considered as 
published when it is shown or made known to someone other than the proper administrative, law 
enforcement or judicial authorities. 
SECTION 7. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act will be 
punished by a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of ten (10) years imprisonment and a 
fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00). 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health, shall 
prescribe the necessary rules and regulations to implement this act. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not othenvise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 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 provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
ljpsO50208 
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