Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Republic of the Philippines, is cognizant of the very vital role of information 
and communications technology (ICT) in nation-building; the need to create an 
information-friendly environment which supports and ensures the availability, 
diversity and affordability of ICT products and services; the primary 
responsibility of the private sector in contributing investments and services in 
telecommunications and information technology; the need to develop, with 
appropriate training programs and institutional policy changes, human 
resources for the information technology age, a labor force skilled in the use of 
ICT and a population capable of operating and utilizing electronic appliances and 
computers; its obligation to facilitate the transfer and promotion of technology; 
to ensure network security, connectivity and neutrality of technology for the 
national benefit; and the need to marshal, organize and deploy national 
information infrastructures, comprising in both telecommunications network 
and strategic information services, including their interconnection to the global 
information networks, with the necessary and appropriate legal, financial, 
diplomatic and technical framework, systems and facilities. 
This House Bill seeks to facilitate domestic and international dealings, 
transactions, arrangements, agreements, contracts and exchanges and storage 
of information through the utilization of electronic, optical and similar medium, 
mode, instrumentality and technology to recognize the authenticity and 
reliability of electronic documents related to such activities and to promote the 
universal use of electronic transaction in the government and general public. 
August 4, 2022
4:40 pm
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Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 8792 (ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ACT 
OF 2000), PROVIDING FOR STIFFER PENALTIES AND 
SANCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
Section 33 of Republic Act 8792, (Electronic Commerce 
Act of 2000) It is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Section 33. Penalties. - The following Acts, shall be penalized 
by fine and/or imprisonment, as follows: 
(a) Hacking or crackling with refers to unauthorized
access into or interference in a computer system/server
or information and communication system; or any
access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using
a 
computer 
or 
other 
similar 
information 
and
communication devices, without the knowledge and
consent of the owner of the computer or information
and 
communications 
system, 
including 
the
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introduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting 
in the corruption, destruction, alteration, theft or loss 
of electronic data messages or electronic documents 
shall be punished by a minimum fine of One Million 
pesos (P1,000,000.00) to commensurate to the damage 
incurred and a mandatory minimum imprisonment of 
Three (3) years; 
(b) Piracy or the unauthorized copying, reproduction, 
dissemination, 
or 
distribution, 
importation, 
use, 
removal, alteration, substitution, modification, storage, 
uploading, 
downloading, 
communication, 
making 
available to the public, or broadcasting of protected 
material, electronic signature or copyrighted works 
including 
legally 
protected 
sound 
recordings 
or 
phonograms or information material on protected 
works, through the use of telecommunication networks, 
such as, but not limited to, the internet, in a manner 
that infringes intellectual property rights shall be 
punished by a minimum fine of One Million pesos (P 
1,000,000.00) to commensurate to the damage 
incurred and a mandatory minimum imprisonment of 
Three (3) years; 
(c) Violations of the Consumer Act of Republic Act No. 
7394 and other relevant to pertinent laws through 
transaction covered by or using electronic data 
messages or electronic documents, shall be penalized 
with the same penalties as provided in those laws; 
(d) Other violations of the provisions of this Act, shall 
be penalized with a minimum penalty of One Million 
pesos (P 1,000,000.00) and a mandatory minimum 
imprisonment of Six (6) years. 
   
SECTION 
2. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 


SECTION 
3. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
4. 
STATUTORY INTERPRETATION. - Unless otherwise 
expressly provided for, the interpretation of this Act shall give due regard to its 
international origin and the need to promote uniformity in its application and 
the observance of good faith in international trade relations. The generally 
accepted principles of international law and convention on electronic commerce 
shall likewise be considered. 
SECTION 
5. 
VARIATION BY AGREEMENT. - As between parties 
involved in generating, sending, receiving, storing or otherwise processing 
electronic data message or electronic document, any provision of this Act may 
be varied by agreement between and among them. 
SECTION 
6. 
RECIPROCITY. - All benefits, privileges, advantages or 
statutory rules established under this Act, including those involving practice of 
profession, shall be enjoyed only by parties whose country origin grants the same 
benefits and privileges or advantages to Filipino citizens. 
SECTION 
7. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
8. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
9. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 


Approved,