SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
2255 
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
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AN ACT MANDATING THE USE OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS FOR 
THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution expressly provides that: "It is a 
policy of the State to maintain peace and order and to protect the life and 
property of the general public". The occurrence of theft, harassment, 
vandalism and other such crimes has become increasingly common in 
many private commercial establishments. It is considered alarming since 
such incidents have been perpetrated in broad daylight while still a 
majority of them happening late night up to the wee hours of the 
morning. 
There 
is 
therefore an urgent need 
to 
secure these 
establishments which include banks, financial establishments, schools, 
gas stations, and the like. 
This piece of legislation is being proposed to address rising crime 
incidence and to show the inadequacy of proper security systems in most 
private establishments, which are the usual target of criminal minds. The 
installation of surveillance cameras or closed circuit televisions (CCTV) 
can address any lack in security personnel and can also supplement 
existing security systems by empowering security and victims to review a 
record of events of the incident. This includes identification of the 
perpetrators and other related evidence of the crime while it also allows 
owners of commercial establishments to monitor a greater area with 
fewer personnel requirement. Real-time video feed can also be studied t 
better prepare security personnel by monitoring suspicious individuals to 
prevent the commencement of any planned criminal activity. 


This legislative measure aims to protect and empower the general 
public against criminal elements that threaten the State's peace and 
order. Its swift passage into law would uphold the State's worthy ideals 
to protect life and property. 
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought . 
• 
D 'b::''-
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 


SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
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SENATE 
ItECEIVED BY:-f-
Senate Bill No. 
2255 
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
AN ACT MANDATING THE USE OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS FOR 
THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -
This Act shall be known as the 
"Surveillance Camera for Commercial Establishments Act of 2014." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Under Article II, Section 5, of 
the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the policy of the State to maintain 
peace and order, to protect life, liberty and property, and to promote the 
general welfare of the general public. As such, the surveillance and 
security of commercial establishments should be regulated to prevent 
criminal incidents in said establishments. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
(a) "Surveillance Camera" refers to electronic devices used for 
recording images of a particular area, premises, or place, such as 
but not limited to closed circuit televisions (CCTVs). 
(b) "Video Feed" refers to the live input of a surveillance camera. 
(c) "Video Record" or "Video Recording" refers to the electronic record 
of the images captured by a surveillance camera. 


(d) "Commercial Establishment" refers to any establishment used for 
commercial purposes and operating for, selling products to, or 
providing services to the general public. The term refers to 
establishments such as but not limited to retail stores, banks, 
financial 
institutions, 
supermarkets, 
schools, 
kindergartens, 
hotels and restaurants. 
(e) "Covered Establishments" refers to any commercial establishment 
with work premises of not less than fifty (50) square meters. 
SECTION 4. Duties of Covered Establishments. - It shall be the duty of 
all covered establishments to: 
(a) 
Install and maintain in good working condition surveillance 
cameras within the premises of their work area (i.e., cashier's 
areas, aisles or areas that are obstructed from public VIew, 
entrance of restrooms, and the like); 
(b) 
Install and maintain in good working condition surveillance 
cameras to monitor the perimeter of the establishment; 
(c) 
Ensure that surveillance cameras are turned on and recording 
for twenty-four hours (24) per day and for seven (7) days per 
week; 
(d) 
Ensure that video feeds are being monitored by security 
employees or personnel specifically tasked to do so; 
(e) 
Keep a deposit of video recordings for a period of not less than 
thirty (30) days from the date of recording; 
(f) 
In the instances covered by Section 8 of this Act, to make video 
recordings available upon request and to allow copies thereof 
to be made, at the expense of the requesting party. 
SECTION 5. Notice of Surveillance. -
The fact that surveillance 
cameras have been installed in an establishment shall be made known to 
the general public through a written notice displayed in the entrance of 
the establishment. 
SECTION 6. Prohibited Surveillance. - The installation of surveillance 
cameras in any restroom, toilet, shower, bathroom, changing room, and 
other such areas where there is reasonable expectation of privacy shall 
be prohibited. 


SECTION 7. Confidentiality and Non-disclosure of Recordings. - The 
owner and/or manager of the commercial establishment shall maintain 
the privacy and confidentiality of the video feeds and records obtained as 
a result of establishment surveillance performed in accordance with this 
Act. Toward such end, said owner and/ or manager shall prohibit any 
use, viewing, disclosure, or publication of said video recordings. 
SECTION 8. Allowed Use and Disclosure. - The use, copying, or disclosure of video 
records obtained pursuant to establishment surveillance performed in accordance 
with this Act shall only be allowed in the following instances: 
(a) Use, copying, or disclosure to a member or officer of a law enforcement 
agency in connection with and limited to the investigation or prosecution 
of an offense punishable by law or regulation; 
(b) Use, copying, or disclosure to further and in connection with any pending 
criminal or civil proceeding; 
(c) Use or disclosure that may be necessary to avoid an imminent threat to 
persons or property; or 
(d) Use or disclosure that may be necessary for persons to determine 
whether or not an offense was committed against their person or 
property, to ascertain the identity of a criminal perpetrator, and to 
determine the manner by which an offense was consummated. 
It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or manager, or their agents, to 
ensure that the conditions for use, copying, or disclosure of video recordings are 
reasonably established before giving access to requesting parties. The extent of 
video recordings to be viewed, used, copied, or disclosed shall be limited to the 
images pertaining to the above-mentioned instances. 
SECTION 9. Penal Clause. - Any act or omission causing the violation of 
duties ascribed to commercial establishment under this Act shall be punishable with 
imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand 
Pesos (P 10,000.00), or both; without prejudice to other civil or criminal liabilities 
that may arise therefrom. 
The owner and/or manager of the establishment shall likewise be 
answerable for violations of this Act; provided that it is shown that the violation was 
due to his/her direct participation, lack of supervision, or negligence. 
SECTION 10. Implementing Agency. - The Department of Interior and Local 
Government and the respective local government units with jurisdiction over the 
area wherein a covered establishment is located shall ensure the implementation 
and enforcement of this Act. 


SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act shall be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,