TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
I'i
Zb JIJL 10 P6 -.21
SENATE
S. No. 439
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEMS INSIDE PRISON CELLS 
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Constitution guarantees the protection of the rights and well­
being of individuals deprived of liberty, ensuring their safety, security, and humane 
treatment while they serve their sentences or await trial. Nevertheless, despite 
continuous initiatives to enhance prison conditions, incidents of violence, disturbances, 
and other security lapses persist, endangering the welfare of both inmates and 
correctional staff inside detention facilities..
The urgency of addressing these concerns is underscored by the current state 
of the Philippine prison system. As of June 1, 2024, the country's total prison 
population, including pre-trial detainees, stood at 171,247 individuals. Of this number, 
53,397 are held in Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facilities, while 117,850 are confined 
in jails managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).1 
Exacerbating these challenges is the alarming level of prison overcrowding. Based on 
the 2023 Global Prison Trends report, the Philippines ranks third worldwide in terms 
of prison congestion, with an astonishing occupancy rate of 375%.2
1 World Prison Brief. (2024). Philippines, https://www.prisonstudies.org/country/philippines. Retrieved 1 June,
2024
2 Institute for Solidarit/ in Asia (ISA) (2024). "Congestion to Compassion: How the BJMP revoluhonizp PDL
rehabilitation", https://isacenter.org/congestion-to-compassion-how-the-bjmp-revolutionizes-pdl-rehabilitation/.
Retrieved 25 March, 2024.


The persistent problem of overcrowding, combined with an escalating crime 
rate, only heightens the risks of violence, unrest, and human rights violations within 
these facilities.
To help mitigate these issues and strengthen prison security, this proposed 
measure seeks to mandate the installation of comprehensive security monitoring 
systems in all prison and jail facilities across the country. These systems shall include 
closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, motion detectors, and other modern 
surveillance technologies designed to enhance oversight, deter violent incidents, and 
ensure the safety of both inmates and correctional personnel.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Bureau of Jail Management and 
Penology (BJMP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall be tasked with the 
installation, operation, and maintenance of these security monitoring systems in their 
respective detention facilities. To guarantee the effective implementation of this 
measure, the necessary funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act, with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) responsible for allocating 
the required resources to the concerned agencies.
Ultimately, this legislation aims to provide an additional layer of security within 
correctional facilities, prevent violent incidents, and uphold the fundamental rights of 
persons deprived of liberty. The installation of modern security systems represents a 
crucial step in ensuring a safer, more humane, and more accountable prison 
environment.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this proposed legislation 
is earnestly sought.
fIaffy t. tuIfo


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
t-i I'j ' 'V
25 JULIO P6:21
SENATE 
S. No. 4/^9
RliCJVHi'/ 'il-
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEMS INSIDE PRISON CELLS 
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short me. — This Act shall be known as the "Jails and Prisons
2 
Monitoring Act of2025'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to provide a safe
4 
and secure environment for arrested individuals, detainees, and convicted inmates
5 
inside incarceration facilities. To achieve this, the State shall establish security
6 
monitoring systems inside prison cells to monitor the activities of inmates and prevent
7 
any untoward incidents that may put the lives and safety of the inmates and prison
8 
personnel at risk. This is also necessary to deter criminal activities, prevent escape
9 
attempts, and monitor the behavior of inmates inside the prison cells. Hence, this Act
10 
alms to establish a security monitoring system inside the prison cells to ensure the
11 
safety of all inmates and personnel.
12 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms
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are defined as follows:
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a) Incarceration Facility refers to all Philippine National Police (PNP) detention
15 
facilities. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) jails, and Bureau of
16 
Corrections (BuCor) prisons as defined under this Act.
17 
b) Prisons refer to correctional institutions under the BuCor for convicted persons
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deprived of liberty in accordance with a lawful court decision or process.


1 
c) J&/7 refers to facilities managed by the BJMP that house persons deprived of liberty
2 
with pending cases before the courts.
3 
d) PNP Detention Facilities refer to holding cells in police precincts for individuals under
4 
arrest.
5 
e) Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) System refers to the use of video cameras to
6 
transmit a signal to a specific place, on a set of monitors/a television system that
7 
transmit images on a "closed loop" basis, where images are only available to those
8 
directly connected with the transition system, including other security camera systems,
9 
motion sensors, and other appropriate technology that can detect any activity inside
10 
the incarceration facility;
11 
f) Images refer to video recordings, photographs, or still images captured by security
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monitoring systems.
13 
g) Person in Authority refers to designated officials of the PNP, BJMP, or BuCor
14 
responsible for managing incarceration facilities.
15 
Sec. 4. Installation of Security Monitoring System. — The PNP, BJMP, and BuCor
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shall install, operate, and maintain comprehensive CCTV System in all national,
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regional, and local incarceration facilities. The System shall cover all common areas,
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entry and exit points, investigation areas, and facility perimeters. Trained personnel
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shall operate the System.
20 
Sec. 5. Purposes of Security Monitoring System. — The security monitoring
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systems shall serve the following functions;
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a) Crime Prevention — To deter and prevent criminal acts, violence, and escape
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attempts within incarceration facilities.
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b) Surveillance — To enable real-time monitoring of inmates, facility staff, and visitors,
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ensuring the safety and security of all individuals and property.
26 
c) Operations Monitoring — To oversee and ensure that facility personnel comply with
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laws, regulations, and operational protocols.
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d) Institutional Documentation — To record and document facility activities, incidents,
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and events for administrative and investigative purposes, provided that data collected
30 
is relevant and not excessive.
31 
Sec. 6. Guiding Principles. — The operation of security monitoring systems shall
32 
adhere to the following principles:


1 
a) Respect for privacy and protection of individual rights shall be ensured at all times.
2 
b) Clear, visible signage shall be placed in all monitored areas to inform individuals of
3 
the presence of surveillance equipment.
4 
c) A transparent grievance mechanism shall be established for reporting alleged
5 
privacy violations.
6 
d) Recorded materials shall be disposed of securely to prevent unauthorized
7 
reproduction or distribution.
8 
Sec. 7. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts are strictly prohibited:
9 
a) Installation of surveillance equipment in private areas such as restrooms, toilets,
10 
bathrooms, changing rooms, strip-search areas and other similar areas utilized for
11 
private activities.
12 
b) Installation of CCTV system without proper notice in areas within incarceration
13 
facilities.
14 
c) Unauthorized sale, publication, or commercial use of recorded materials or images.
15 
d) Uploading of recorded images or footage to the internet for entertainment or
16 
unauthorized purposes.
17 
Sec. 8. Access and Disclosure of Recordings. — Access to images and
18 
recordings shall be strictly limited to authorized personnel and allowed only in the
19 
following instances;
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a) Upon written request by a person in authority for official investigations.
21 
b) Upon lawful order of the court for pending criminal or civil proceedings.
22 
c) To determine the occurrence of an offense within the facility and identify involved
23 
individuals.
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d) Individuals whose images were recorded may request copies of the relevant
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recordings.
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e) The PNP, BJMP, or BuCor may release recordings to the media to help Identify the
27 
perpetrator of a crime or locate his whereabouts, when necessary for crime prevention
28 
or public information, subject to legal limitations.
29 
All authorized access or disclosures shall be documented and acted upon within
30 
twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the request.
31 
Sec. 9. Data Retention and Storage. — Recorded data shall not be retained for
32 
more than six (6) months unless required for an ongoing investigation, legal


1 
proceeding, or other lawful purposes, after which it shall be securely deleted or
2 
overwritten,
3 
Sec. 10. Data Protection. — The collection, storage, and use of data from
4 
security monitoring systems shall comply with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data
5 
Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws. The PNP, BJMP, and BuCor shall ensure
6 
strict confidentiality and restrict access to authorized personnel only.
7 
Sec. 11. Appropriations. — The funds necessary for the implementation of this
8 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
9 
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
10 
the effectivity of this Act, the BuCor, in coordination with the Department of Justice
11 
and other concerned agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to
12 
effectively implement this Act.
13 
Sec. 13. Penalties. — Unauthorized tampering, dismantling, or disassembling
14 
of security monitoring systems shall be punishable by imprisonment of six (6) to ten
15 
(10) years, a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) to One Million Pesos
16 
(P1,000,000.00), or both, without prejudice to other criminal or civil actions under
17 
existing laws.
18 
Section 14. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
19 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and
20 
effect.
21 
Section 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and
22 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
23 
Section 16. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
4