FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENtEt'7 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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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 se9urity 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 CeTV 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 iliat 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. I 
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a.tt.MIRIAM DEFWSOR SANTI~U 
I This bill was originally filed during tbe 14"' Congress 1" Regular Session 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN1.!S7 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO INSTALL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV) 
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CAMERAS IN SELECTED PORTIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AND PENALIZING THE 
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PUBLICATION OF THE VIDEO TAKEN BY THIS CAMERAS WITHOUT A COURT 
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ORDER 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Hospital CCTV Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the state to protect and promote 
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the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Likewise, it is also 
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the declared policy ofthe state to respect the privacy of individuals. In this regard, Closed Circuit 
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Television (CCTV) cameras will be required in selection portions of a hospital but to ensure that 
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the privacy of individuals concerned are protected, the video taken by these cameras can not be 
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released without a court order. 
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SECTION 3. Installation of Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in Hospitals. -
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All hospitals in the Philippines should install CCTV cameras in all their entrance and exits, 
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operating rooms, delivery rooms, intensive care units and nurseries. 
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SECTION 4. Privacy Request Paramount. - Notwithstanding Section 3, a patient or his 
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legal guardian can request that the CCTV camera be turned off during his stay in the rooms 
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mentioned in Section 3. In addition, in rooms with multiple occupants, a majority of the 
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occupants should make the request to tum the CCTV camera off during their stay provided that 
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whenever possible, the patient who does not want to be caught on CCTV camera may stay in a 
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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 
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director or his authorized representative is allowed access to the room where the footage of the 
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CCTV cameras are monitored and stored. 
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SECTION 6. Prohibition on Unauthorized Publication. - Before any still photo or video 
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caught by the CCTV cameras can be made public, a pUblication order from the Regional Trial 
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Court having jurisdiction over the hospital should be obtained. A photo or video is considered as 
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published when it is shown or made known to someone other than the proper administrative, law 
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enforcement or judicial authorities. 
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SECTION 7. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act will be 
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punished by a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum often (10) years imprisonment and a 
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fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00). 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health, shall 
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prescribe the necessary rules and regulations to implement this act. 
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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