REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

OB MAY 2012
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

i 6116

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. IRWIN C. TIENG.
and HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

With the rapid development of information and communication technologies, a
new form of social disease has emerged known as Cyber bullying. With the use of cell
phones and social networking sites, cruelty has been amplified and shifted from the
hallways to the Internet, where a nasty, profanity-laced comment, complete with an
‘embarrassing photo can be viewed by the public.

Cyber bullying attacks are especially painful because they are not easily
erased from the internet and can trouble the victim for months and years. In addition to
causing substantial psychological harm and emotional distress, cyber bullying can
sometimes even lead to physical harm.

Existing laws in the country are not currently adequate to properly address this
new and emerging problem of cyber bullying. This bill seeks to bring the country's laws
up-to-date, give bullies a concrete reason to quit their online antics, and provide victims
protection against this new breed of bully. Cyber bullying has become a serious
problem, and we need a new law to combat it

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ $11 &

Introduced by HON. IRWIN C. TIENG
and HON. MARIANO MICHAEL M. VELARDE

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 2012."

Section 2. Cyber Bullying When Committed. — A person commits cyber bullying
when he or she engages in social cruelty using the internet or other digital technologies
by:

(a) Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages.

(b) Distributing information about the victim that is derogatory and untrue through
posting it on a Web page or sending it to others through email or instant
messaging.

(c) Posting online or sending digitally altered photos of the victim to others whether
the images were taken with or without consent intended to humiliate and
embarrass the victim.

(d) Breaking into an email or social networking account and using the victim's online
identity to send or post vicious or embarrassing material to or about others.

(e) Sharing victim's secrets or embarrassing information, or tricking him into
revealing secrets or embarrassing information and forwarding it to others

(f) Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm or are highly
intimidating, or engaging in other online activities tending to cause fear on
victim's safety.

Section 3. Penalties. - The penalty of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php
50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 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 violating this Act.

Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on
Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Department of Justice (DOJ) and
the Department of the 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.


Section 5. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, decrees, ordinances or rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act is hereby
amended or repealed.

Section 6. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act is declared invalid,
other parts or provisions thereof not affected thereby shall remain and continue to be in
full force and effect.

Section 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,