Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING HOSPITALS TO INSTALL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION 
(CCTV) CAMERAS IN SELECTED PORTIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AND 
PENALIZING THE PUBLICATION OF THE VIDEO TAKEN BY THESE 
CAMERAS WITHOUT A COURT ORDER 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Many Southeast Asian countries require the installation closed circuit 
television (CCTV) cameras in their hospitals. In Vietnam, medical 
establishments are compelled to have CCTV cameras to monitor the activities 
of their staff. In Malaysia, surveillance cameras are installed in operating 
rooms to ensure the safety of the patients. 
The installation of surveillance cameras in hospitals offer a number of 
advantages not only to the patients but also the staff. First, footage of 
operations will be beneficial in cases of medical malpractice as both the 
patient and the doctor can refer to them to prove their cases. The instances 
of baby switching will also be minimized, if not completely avoided, when 
delivery rooms and nurseries have CCTV. Lastly, having CCTV cameras in 
hospital entrances and exits will provide additional security for all those in 
the hospital. Overall, cameras in hospitals prevent theft, smoking, and other 
various violations of the law on the premises. 
Furthermore, this bill makes it criminal for any person to leak footage 
captured by the hospital CCTV camera without a court order thereby giving 
assurance to patients and medical staff that their privacy is protected. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 
August 8, 2022
5:34 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING HOSPITALS TO INSTALL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION 
(CCTV) CAMERAS IN SELECTED PORTIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AND 
PENALIZING THE PUBLICATION OF THE VIDEO TAKEN BY THESE 
CAMERAS WITHOUT A COURT ORDER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Hospital CCTV 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the state to protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them. Likewise, it is also the declared policy of the state to respect the 
privacy of individuals. In this regard, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras 
will be required in selected portions of a hospital but to ensure that the privacy 
of individuals concerned are protected, the video taken by these cameras 
cannot be released without a court order. 
SECTION 3. Installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in 
Hospitals. – All hospitals in the Philippines should install CCTV cameras in 
all their entrance and exits, operating rooms, delivery room, intensive care 
units and nurseries. 
SECTION 4. Privacy Request Paramount. – Notwithstanding Section 3, a 
patient or his legal guardian can request that the CCTV camera be turned off 
during his stay in the rooms mentioned in Section 3. In addition, in rooms 
with multiple occupants, a majority of the occupants should make the request 
to turn the CCTV camera off during their stay provided what whenever 
possible, the patient who does not want to be caught on CCTV camera may 
stay in a portion of the room not covered by the CCTV camera. 
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SECTION 5. Authorized Operator. – Only the authorized operator and the 
hospital director or his authorized representative is allowed access to the room 
where the footage of the CCTV cameras are monitored and stored.  
 
 
SECTION 6. Prohibition on Unauthorized Publication. – Before any still 
photo or video caught by the CCTV cameras can be made public, a publication 
order from the Regional Trial Court having jurisdiction over the hospital 
should be obtained. A photo or video is considered as published when it is 
shown or made known to someone other than the proper administrative, law 
enforcement or judicial authorities. 
 
SECTION 7. Penalties. – Any person who violates any provision of this Act 
will be punished by a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years 
imprisonment and a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00). 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of 
Health, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, shall prescribe 
the necessary rules and regulations to carry out and enforce the provisions of 
this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision, or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,