Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HoUSEBILL-N-C5`.      6096
Introduced by Representative Romulo ``Kid" Pefia, Jr.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Public safety and law and order are at the top in the pantheon of
what the state is not only empowered but also duty bound to consider as
compelling interest. As modes of criminality become more complex and
with the constant threat of terror looming large, the state must respond by
improving its means and capabilities in achieving these stated ends. It is
in this spirit that this bill is proposing to make the installation of CCTV's,
in certain specified and strategic areas, mandatory.
The proponent of this law believes that there is a two-fold rationale
in   how   this   measure   will   promote   public   safety   and   the   better
enforcement  of  law  and  order.  First,  it  would  give  law  enforcers  a
significant lead when a crime is committed where otherwise none would
have been had.  Several  instances of public prominence, as  well as the
experience  of other  states,  have  effectively  shown  that  oftentimes  the
presence of a captured footage in CCTV  spells the difference between
solving a crime and letting a criminal with a propensity to commit more
heinous acts roam free.  Second, the presence of CCTV's constitute an
effective deterrence  to the commission of a crime.  It is elementary  in


criminal psychology that a person attempting to perpetuate a crime or do
some legal  wrong to a fellow citizen, is less likely to go through with
his/her sinister plan when there is the threat that he/she would not be able
to  get  away  with  committing  such  because  his/her  actions  are  being
captured by a CCTV camera.
On  a  final  sobering  note,  the  alarming  rise  in  acts  of  terror
successfully committed in other more advanced states should serve as a
chilling reminder to us Filipinos of how vulnerable we truly are to the
same  attacks.  In  an  ideal  world  we  would  have  no  need  to  protect
ourselves, but alas, we are not waking up in one. Therefore, the next best
alternative is that we be able to protect ourselves, our families, and our
communities, to the very best of our abilities. This proposed measure is a
small step toward that end.
Immediate approval of this bill is eamestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
I+    +   ~   A
HOUSE BILL NO.
6096
Introduced by Representative Romulo "Kid" Pefia, Jr.
AN ACT
REQUIRING BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, GOVERNMENT
OFFICES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PARKS, SCHOOLS, STREETS,
ALLEYS AND OTHER PLACES 0F PUBLIC CONGREGATION
TO INSTALL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS AS A
REANs To DETER cRnrm
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Serwlle  c[nd  the  House  of  Representatives  Of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION  I.  Sfaoif  Zli*fe.  - This  act  shall  be  known  as  the  "CCTV
Cameras for Crime Prevention Act."
SECTION 2. DecJ¢rcerfu.om  a/Pch.ey. -It is the policy of the  State to
maintain  peace  and  order,  protect  life,  liberty  and  property,  and  to
promote the general welfare.  Toward this end, the State shall facilitate
helpful strategies and means to discourage crime and increase the safety
and security of the public without impinging on constitutionally protected
rights.
SECTION 3. De/E#z.froi! a/ rerTros. - For the purposes of this Act, the
following terns shall be defined as follows:
a)  CCZV refers to the use of the video cameras to transmit a signal
to a specific place, on a set Of monitors/ a television system that
transmits images on a "close loop" basis, where images are only
available to those directly connected to the transmission system.


b)  Govcr73rme#J O#ce  refers to the administrative working  space
for public employees.
c)  PalbJz.c  Bztz.J#j7cgs  shall  include  every  building  owned  by  the
goverrment or belonging to a private person but used or rented
by the government although temporarily occupied by the same.
d) Pcz7*s shall refer to an area of land, usually in its natural state,
having facilities for rest and recreation of the public, owned and
managed by a city , municipality or state.
e)  Scfeoo/s   refers   to   any   building.   structure,   court   or   space
dedicated for education or leaning whether public or private.
f)   Pz/Z7/i.c  Co%gregafz.oJ?  refers  to  places  or  areas  where  a  large
crowd usually  gathers  like places  of worship,  sports  stadium
and the like.
g)  Streets  shall  mean  a  public  thoroughfare  where  people  may
move about in public or private means of transportation, and
where they may freely assemble or interact.
fa/ A/Jey shall refer to a narrow lane, path or passageway, often for
use of pedestrian
!J   Bus!.7cess  Esifczz)Jisfame73fs  refers  to  any  establishment  used  for
commercial purposes and operating for selling products to, or
providing services to the general public. They shall include but
shall  not  be  limited  to  banks,  restaurants,  hospitals,  malls,
shopping    centers,    movie    houses,    theaters,    supemarkets
groceries, entertairment centers, warehouses and other similar
establishments.
SECTION 4. OLjt7crfu€. - The CCTV shall be utilized to promote crime
prevention and uphold public safety  with due regard to the privacy of
every individual. It shall be installed and maintained to monitor and keep
a  recording  of  images  in  the  premises  of  business  establishments,
government offices, public buildings, schools, parks, streets, alleys, and
other  areas  of public  congregation.  It  shall  facilitate  as  an  additional
resource for law enforcement and security assistance whenever necessary
and provide an effective crime deterrent by its threat of retrievable data
recording.


SECTION 5.  Coverogr. - The installation of CCTV cameras shall be
mandatory  in  all  government  offices,  public  buildings,  schools, parks,
streets,   alleys,   business   establishments,   and   other   areas   of   public
congregation.  This  requirement  shall  likewise  ensure  that  the  CCTV
cameras are working and tuned on and recording for twenty-four (24)
hours each day for seven (7) days each week. Data of recordings shall be
kept  for  a  period  not  less  than  sixty  (60)  days  from  actual  date  of
recording.
In  case  of  cities  and  municipalities,  the  funding  requirements  for  the
installation of the CCTVs shall be included in the General Appropriation
Act of the Department of Interior and Local Goverrment (DILG) in the
year  following   its   enactment,  with  the  technical   assistance  of  the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
SHCTI0N  6. Perso„s Respansthze.  - The  Head of Office  in case of
government offices and public buildings and the City/Municipal Mayors
with  respect  to parks,  streets, alleys  and other public  congregations  in
their      respective      territorial      jurisdiction,      as      well      as      the
Owner/Administrators  of academic/lcaming  institutions  with  regard  to
schools,  and  the  Owners/Proprietors  of  business  establishments  shall
cause installations of CCTV ' s.
SECTION 7. IVo&.ce a/Swrveizztzi!ce. -A signage informing the general
public of the existence of the CCTV cameras shall be installed. It shall be
visible, distinctive and located in areas with good lighting.
SEC"OIN 8. Procedure f or Access and lmclosure Of Recordings -The
access,  disclosure,  use,  viewing, or copying  of images  and recordings
performed  in  accordance  with  this  Act  shall  only  be  allowed  in  the
following instances:
1.  Upon a written request from a person in authority in colmection
with  and  limited  to  an  investigation  for  the  prosecution  of  an
offense punishable by law;
2.  Upon  lawful  order  of  the  court,  in  connection  with  a  pending
criminal or civil proceeding;
3.  To  determine  whether  an  offense  has  been committed  against a
person or property and to ascertain the identity of the perpetrator
and the manner by which the crime was committed;


4.  Any   person   whose   image  has   been  recorded  may   make   an
application  in  writing  for  a  copy  Of  the  recording  or  the  still
images;
5.  Law Enforcement Agencies shall not be allowed to release images
or recordings from the CCTV to the media, except only when the
circumstances waLrrant to help identity the perpetrator of a crime or
locate his whereabouts, or as a matter of public information.
The  use,  copying  or  disclosure  of  images  and  recordings  shall  be
authorized within twenty-four (24) hours after submission of the request
as herein specified.
SECTION  9.  Pcm¢J#.es.  -  Any  act  or  omission  in  violation  of  the
mandatory   requirement   under   this   Act   shall   be   punishable   with
imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months or a fine not to exceed fifty
thousand (P 50, 000.00) pesos, or both without prejudice to other civil or
criminal liabilities that may arise therefrom.
The  persons  or  officers  enumerated  under  Section  5  shall  be  held
answerable for violations of this Act; provided that it is shown that the
violation was due to histher direct participation, lack of supervision, or
negligence.   For   government   offices   and   public   places,   the   non-
installation of the CCTV's  shall  be considered as  nonfeasance and the
officers  responsible  shall  be  subject  to  the  penalties  provided  for  in
appropriate law s.
SECTION 10. J"pfeme#ft.ng Agr#ey. - The Department of Interior and
Local  Goverrment and the  respective  I.ocal  Government  Units  (LGU)
shall ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of this Act.
SE:CTroT` 11. Implementing Rules and Reguhation. -Within thirty (30)
days from the effectivity Of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local
Government, in consultation with appropriate government agencies and
other stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
to implement this Act.
SECTION   12.  Repe¢J!.rag  Cfoltse.  -  All  laws,  presidential  decrees,
executive  orders,  rules  and  regulations  or  part  thereof,  contrmy  to  or
inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  are  hereby  repealed  or
modified accordingly.


SECTION  13. Seprr¢bI.Zrtyr Cfo%se. - If any section or provision of this
Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, all other sections or provisions
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 14. E#ech.ryrty Cfo"Se. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its complete publication in any two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.
Approved,