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Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED Z
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES O83 JUL 205
Quezon City
TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1259

Introduced by Representative MARCELINO R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the prime duty of the
Government is to serve and protect the people,” while Section 5 affirms that “the
maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the
promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the
blessings of democracy.”

In support of these constitutional mandates, the use of closed-circuit television
(CCTV) systems has emerged as one of the most effective tools for promoting peace, public
safety, and crime prevention. CCTV footage plays a vital role in deterring, detecting, and
solving crimes, as well as enhancing the security of business establishments and public areas.

However, while CCTV technology strengthens law enforcement and community
safety, its operation must strictly adhere to the constitutional right to privacy.

In recognition of this, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
issued Memorandum Circular No. 2022-060 requiring cities and capital towns to mandate
CCTV installation in business establishments. Likewise, the National Privacy Commission
(NPC) issued NPC Circular No. 2024-02, providing detailed guidelines for the use of CCTV
systems in public and semi-public areas by personal information controllers and processors.

This bill seeks to harmonize existing regulations and local ordinances by
institutionalizing clear legal standards for the lawful installation, operation, and regulation of
CCTV systems. It defines prohibited acts, prescribes procedures for access, disclosure, and
preservation of recordings, and imposes penalties for violations.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is eamestly sought.

ean r= °
Nexo, R. TEODORO

Representative
First District, Marikina City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1259

Introduced by Representative MARCELINO R. TEODORO

AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF CLOSED-CIRCUIT
TELEVISION (CCTV) SYSTEMS AS A MEANS TO DETER CRIME,
ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION, RECORDING, AND
ACCESS THERETO, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

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 “Closed-Circuit Television
(CCTV) Systems for Crime Prevention Act”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the welfare of its people, to maintain peace and order, to protect life, liberty, and
property, and to promote the general welfare. For this purpose, the State shall establish laws
and guidelines to ensure the protection, safety, and welfare of its people against criminal
activities by mandating the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in public,
private and residential establishments, with due regard to the privacy and rights of every
individual as provided under the Constitution and Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data
Privacy Act of 2012.

Sec. 3. - Definition of Terms — As used in this Act:

a) Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) System tefers to the use of video cameras to
transmit a signal to a specific place, on a set of monitors or television system that
transmits images on a “closed loop” basis, where images are only available to
those directly connected to the transmission system;

b) CCTV Operator refers to a person or persons authorized and responsible for

watching and controlling the recording of pictures and videos captured by a

CCTV camera;

Data Subject refers to an individual who is the subject of a CCTV camera

footage, video, photo, or whose personal, sensitive personal, or privileged

information is processed by a business establishment;

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d) Images refer to recorded images in the CCTV cameras;

e) Persons in Authority refer any person directly vested with jurisdiction or
authority to enforce or execute laws and regulations, such as elements of the
Philippine National Police or the National Bureau of Investigation, or the
Barangay Chairperson and Barangay Tanod;

f) Private Installations refer to CCTV cameras installed in private establishments

that are accessible to the public at certain hours of the day, such as private

subdivisions, condominiums and other residential areas, banks and other
financial _ establishments, educational _ institutions, hospitals, dining
establishments, business hubs, malls, shopping centers, and similar places;

Public Installations refer to CCTV cameras installed in public places such as

government offices and instrumentalities, parks and plazas, alleyways, streets and

highways, public markets, airports and public transport terminals;

Video Surveillance refers to a CCTV system for direct visual monitoring and/or

recording of activities on the premises or in a specific place.

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Sec. 4. Public and Private Installation of CCTV Systems ~ The installation of CCTV
systems shall be mandatory in public places and in private establishments nationwide that are
accessible to or frequented by the public: Provided, That CCTV cameras shall be installed in
strategic areas so as to capture footage of possible crimes or untoward incidents that may
occur: Provided, further, That CCTV cameras shall not be directed at areas where there is a
reasonable expectation of privacy.

The installation of CCTV systems shall be a requirement in the issuance of business
permits to establishments catering to a considerable number of customers or clientele, or
conducting transactions and operations which carry risks of being targeted by criminal
activity, as well as to those establishments that are prone to accidents, natural disasters, and
other unforeseen incidents.

This Act shall apply to the installation and operation of CCTV systems in places
within residential areas such as private subdivisions and condominiums, and places within
academic institutions and other common areas where there is public access.

Sec. 5. Guidelines for the Installation and Operation of CCTV Systems - The
following guidelines shall be strictly observed in the installation and operation of CCTV
systems:

a)

The CCTV systems shall at all times be operated with due regard to the right
to privacy and the right to conduct or engage in lawful activities;

Public installation of CCTV systems shall function as an instrument for law
enforcement and crime prevention;

c) The CCTV cameras shall be operated as a crime deterrent for the purpose of
mobilizing a quick and adequate response unit from the persons in authority.
Public installation of CCTV systems shall enable the viewing of a wider range
of data images on motorists, pedestrians and critical thoroughfares, to provide

d)

d)


quicker apprehension of road safety violators and pinpoint causes of traffic
build-up; and

Private installation of CCTV systems shall function as a tool for video
surveillance allowing security personnel of private areas and establishments to
monitor the premises and ensure the safety and security of individuals and
private properties.

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Sec. 6. Persons Responsible — In the case of government offices and public buildings,
the Head of Office shall be the person responsible for the installation of CCTV systems. With
respect to parks, streets, alleyways, and other public places, as well as private places that are
accessible to the public, the city or municipal mayor shall be responsible for the installation
of the CCTV cameras.

Sec. 7. Notice of Surveillance — The fact that surveillance or CCTV cameras have
been installed in an area shall be made known to the general public through a written notice
prominently displayed at the entrance of the establishment or at a visible area within its
premises.

Sec. 8. Procedure for Access and Disclosure of Recordings —

Only authorized persons shall have access to the images and recordings from the
CCTV cameras. Viewing of the images and recordings shall take place in a restricted area or
in private conditions. All access allowed or granted under the circumstances must be
documented and for limited or prescribed circumstances.

The access, disclosure, use, viewing, or copying of images and recordings performed
in accordance with this Act shall only be allowed in the following circumstances:

1, Upon a written request from a person in authority in connection 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. Upon request of any person whose image has been recorded, with the request
for a copy of the recording or its still images made in writing;

4. Upon compliance with the Rules of Procedure set by security agencies
operating under the management of clients,

5, When circumstances warrant that law enforcement agencies release the image
or recordings from the CCTV to the media to help identify the perpetrator of a
crime or locate their whereabouts, or as a matter of public information; and

6. 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.

Sec. 9. Prohibited Acts and Recordings — It shall be unlawful for any person or
establishment to perform the following acts:


1. Installation or use of the CCTV cameras on another individual’s property or
business establishment without consent;

2. Installation or use of CCTV cameras in any restroom, toilet, bathroom,
changing room, and other similar areas utilized for private activities;

3. Use of CCTV cameras with a device to record sounds or voices designed to
overhear events, conversations or sounds without the express permission of all
persons involved:

4. Installation of CCTV cameras in public places without the display of notice of
surveillance;

5. Installation of CCTV cameras inside the business premises without due notice
to all employees;

6. Installation and use of CCTV cameras as surveillance tools of particular
individuals on behalf of or commissioned by third persons with or without
compensation or fee;

7. Sale, distribution or publication of any recorded material or still photographs
for commercial purposes;

8. Uploading of any images, recordings, or stills from a CCTV camera on the
internet for entertainment purposes or without consent of the data subject or
business owner, except for the protection of the general public such as to help
identify the perpetrator of a crime or locate his whereabouts or as a matter of
public information to deter criminal activities.

Sec. 10. Retention, Storage and Preservation — Unless otherwise reserved for a
specific purpose to review the events of a crime or that the information needs to be studied
further for any number of reasons, data of recordings shall not be kept for more than sixty
(60) days and should automatically be overwritten or deleted beyond said period.

Sec. 11. Penalties - Any act or omission causing the violation of duties ascribed to
business establishments shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than six (6)
months but not more than six (6) years, or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos
(P10,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both, without
prejudice to any civil or criminal cases that may be filed pursuant to existing laws: Provided,
‘That if the offender is a corporation, partnership or any juridical person, the penalty shall be
imposed upon the responsible officers, as the case may be.

The business owner and the CCTV operator shall be responsible for compliance with
the provisions of this Act: Provided, That the business owner and the CCTV operator as the
case may be, shall be personally liable for any violation under this Act which was due to their
direct participation, lack of supervision, or negligence.

No business permit or permit to operate shall be issued or renewed for the business
establishments covered by this Act unless the CCTV cameras as herein specified are installed
and fully operational.


For government buildings or public places, the non-installation of CCTV cameras
shall be considered as nonfeasance and the officers responsible shall be subject to the
penalties provided for under appropriate laws.

Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in
coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT),
the Department of National Defense (DND), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the
National Privacy Commission, and in consultation with other appropriate government
agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement
this Act.

The DICT shall establish and update as necessary the minimum technical
specifications for the CCTV cameras and the installation and operation of the CCTV system.

Sec. 13, Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
hereof.

Sec. 14. Repealing Clause — All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with, or contrary to this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 15. Effectivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,