[REPUBLIC ACT NO.

10173] DATA PRIVACY

ACT ( RA 10173)

AN ACT PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL

INFORMATION IN INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS IN THE
GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR,
CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE A NATIONAL
PRIVACY COMMISSION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of

Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as

the “Data Privacy Act of 2012”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the

State to protect the fundamental human right of privacy,
of communication while ensuring free flow of
information to promote innovation and growth. The
State recognizes the vital role of information and
communications technology in nation-building and its
inherent obligation to ensure that personal information in
information and communications systems in the
government and in the private sector are secured and
protected.

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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – Whenever used in this
Act, the following terms shall have the respective
meanings hereafter set forth:

(a) Commission shall refer to the National Privacy

Commission created by virtue of this Act.

(b) Consent of the data subject refers to any freely given,

specific, informed indication of will, whereby the data
subject agrees to the collection and processing of
personal information about and/or relating to him or her.
Consent shall be evidenced by written, electronic or
recorded means. It may also be given on behalf of the
data subject by an agent specifically authorized by the
data subject to do so.

(c) Data subject refers to an individual whose personal

information is processed.

(d) Direct marketing refers to communication by

whatever means of any advertising or marketing material
which is directed to particular individuals.

(e) Filing system refers to any act of information relating

to natural or juridical persons to the extent that, although
the information is not processed by equipment operating
automatically in response to instructions given for that
purpose, the set is structured, either by reference to
individuals or by reference to criteria relating to
individuals, in such a way that specific information
relating to a particular person is readily accessible.

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(f) Information and Communications System refers to a
system for generating, sending, receiving, storing or
otherwise processing electronic data messages or
electronic documents and includes the computer system
or other similar device by or which data is recorded,
transmitted or stored and any procedure related to the
recording, transmission or storage of electronic data,
electronic message, or electronic document.

(g) Personal information refers to any information

whether recorded in a material form or not, from which
the identity of an individual is apparent or can be
reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding
the information, or when put together with other
information would directly and certainly identify an
individual.

(h) Personal information controller refers to a person or

organization who controls the collection, holding,
processing or use of personal information, including a
person or organization who instructs another person or
organization to collect, hold, process, use, transfer or
disclose personal information on his or her behalf. The
term excludes:

(1) A person or organization who performs such

functions as instructed by another person or
organization; and

(2) An individual who collects, holds, processes or uses

personal information in connection with the individual’s

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personal, family or household affairs.

(i) Personal information processor refers to any natural

or juridical person qualified to act as such under this Act
to whom a personal information controller may
outsource the processing of personal data pertaining to a
data subject.

(j) Processing refers to any operation or any set of

operations performed upon personal information
including, but not limited to, the collection, recording,
organization, storage, updating or modification,
retrieval, consultation, use, consolidation, blocking,
erasure or destruction of data.

(k) Privileged information refers to any and all forms of

data which under the Rules of Court and other pertinent
laws constitute privileged communication.

(l) Sensitive personal information refers to personal

information:

(1) About an individual’s race, ethnic origin, marital

status, age, color, and religious, philosophical or political
affiliations;

(2) About an individual’s health, education, genetic or

sexual life of a person, or to any proceeding for any
offense committed or alleged to have been committed by
such person, the disposal of such proceedings, or the
sentence of any court in such proceedings;

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(3) Issued by government agencies peculiar to an
individual which includes, but not limited to, social
security numbers, previous or current health records,
licenses or its denials, suspension or revocation, and tax
returns; and

(4) Specifically established by an executive order or an

act of Congress to be kept classified.

SEC. 4. Scope. – This Act applies to the processing of all

types of personal information and to any natural and
juridical person involved in personal information
processing including those personal information
controllers and processors who, although not found or
established in the Philippines, use equipment that are
located in the Philippines, or those who maintain an
office, branch or agency in the Philippines subject to the
immediately succeeding paragraph: Provided, That the
requirements of Section 5 are complied with.

This Act does not apply to the following:

(a) Information about any individual who is or was an

officer or employee of a government institution that
relates to the position or functions of the individual,
including:

(1) The fact that the individual is or was an officer or

employee of the government institution;

(2) The title, business address and office telephone

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number of the individual;

(3) The classification, salary range and responsibilities

of the position held by the individual; and

(4) The name of the individual on a document prepared

by the individual in the course of employment with the
government;

(b) Information about an individual who is or was

performing service under contract for a government
institution that relates to the services performed,
including the terms of the contract, and the name of the
individual given in the course of the performance of
those services;

(c) Information relating to any discretionary benefit of a

financial nature such as the granting of a license or
permit given by the government to an individual,
including the name of the individual and the exact nature
of the benefit;

(d) Personal information processed for journalistic,

artistic, literary or research purposes;

(e) Information necessary in order to carry out the

functions of public authority which includes the
processing of personal data for the performance by the
independent, central monetary authority and law
enforcement and regulatory agencies of their
constitutionally and statutorily mandated functions.

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Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to have
amended or repealed Republic Act No. 1405, otherwise
known as the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Act; Republic
Act No. 6426, otherwise known as the Foreign Currency
Deposit Act; and Republic Act No. 9510, otherwise
known as the Credit Information System Act (CISA);

(f) Information necessary for banks and other financial

institutions under the jurisdiction of the independent,
central monetary authority or Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas to comply with Republic Act No. 9510, and
Republic Act No. 9160, as amended, otherwise known as
the Anti-Money Laundering Act and other applicable
laws; and

(g) Personal information originally collected from

residents of foreign jurisdictions in accordance with the
laws of those foreign jurisdictions, including any
applicable data privacy laws, which is being processed
in the Philippines.

SEC. 5. Protection Afforded to Journalists and Their

Sources. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to
have amended or repealed the provisions of Republic
Act No. 53, which affords the publishers, editors or duly
accredited reporters of any newspaper, magazine or
periodical of general circulation protection from being
compelled to reveal the source of any news report or
information appearing in said publication which was
related in any confidence to such publisher, editor, or
reporter.

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SEC. 6. Extraterritorial Application. – This Act applies
to an act done or practice engaged in and outside of the
Philippines by an entity if:

(a) The act, practice or processing relates to personal

information about a Philippine citizen or a resident;

(b) The entity has a link with the Philippines, and the
entity is processing personal information in the
Philippines or even if the processing is outside the
Philippines as long as it is about Philippine citizens or
residents such as, but not limited to, the following:

(1) A contract is entered in the Philippines;

(2) A juridical entity unincorporated in the Philippines

but has central management and control in the country;
and

(3) An entity that has a branch, agency, office or

subsidiary in the Philippines and the parent or affiliate of
the Philippine entity has access to personal information;
and

(c) The entity has other links in the Philippines such as,
but not limited to:

(1) The entity carries on business in the Philippines; and

(2) The personal information was collected or held by an

entity in the Philippines.

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Back To Top
CHAPTER II
THE NATIONAL PRIVACY COMMISSION

SEC. 7. Functions of the National Privacy Commission.

– To administer and implement the provisions of this
Act, and to monitor and ensure compliance of the
country with international standards set for data
protection, there is hereby created an independent body
to be known as the National Privacy Commission, winch
shall have the following functions:

(a) Ensure compliance of personal information

controllers with the provisions of this Act;

(b) Receive complaints, institute investigations, facilitate

or enable settlement of complaints through the use of
alternative dispute resolution processes, adjudicate,
award indemnity on matters affecting any personal
information, prepare reports on disposition of complaints
and resolution of any investigation it initiates, and, in
cases it deems appropriate, publicize any such report:
Provided, That in resolving any complaint or
investigation (except where amicable settlement is
reached by the parties), the Commission shall act as a
collegial body. For this purpose, the Commission may be
given access to personal information that is subject of
any complaint and to collect the information necessary
to perform its functions under this Act;

(c) Issue cease and desist orders, impose a temporary or

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permanent ban on the processing of personal
information, upon finding that the processing will be
detrimental to national security and public interest;

(d) Compel or petition any entity, government agency or

instrumentality to abide by its orders or take action on a
matter affecting data privacy;

(e) Monitor the compliance of other government

agencies or instrumentalities on their security and
technical measures and recommend the necessary action
in order to meet minimum standards for protection of
personal information pursuant to this Act;

(f) Coordinate with other government agencies and the

private sector on efforts to formulate and implement
plans and policies to strengthen the protection of
personal information in the country;

(g) Publish on a regular basis a guide to all laws relating

to data protection;

(h) Publish a compilation of agency system of records

and notices, including index and other finding aids;

(i) Recommend to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the

prosecution and imposition of penalties specified in
Sections 25 to 29 of this Act;

(j) Review, approve, reject or require modification of

privacy codes voluntarily adhered to by personal

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information controllers:Provided, That the privacy codes
shall adhere to the underlying data privacy principles
embodied in this Act: Provided, further,That such
privacy codes may include private dispute resolution
mechanisms for complaints against any participating
personal information controller. For this purpose, the
Commission shall consult with relevant regulatory
agencies in the formulation and administration of
privacy codes applying the standards set out in this Act,
with respect to the persons, entities, business activities
and business sectors that said regulatory bodies are
authorized to principally regulate pursuant to the law:
Provided, finally. That the Commission may review such
privacy codes and require changes thereto for purposes
of complying with this Act;

(k) Provide assistance on matters relating to privacy or

data protection at the request of a national or local
agency, a private entity or any person;

(l) Comment on the implication on data privacy of

proposed national or local statutes, regulations or
procedures, issue advisory opinions and interpret the
provisions of this Act and other data privacy laws;

(m) Propose legislation, amendments or modifications to

Philippine laws on privacy or data protection as may be
necessary;

(n) Ensure proper and effective coordination with data

privacy regulators in other countries and private

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accountability agents, participate in international and
regional initiatives for data privacy protection;

(o) Negotiate and contract with other data privacy

authorities of other countries for cross-border
application and implementation of respective privacy
laws;

(p) Assist Philippine companies doing business abroad to

respond to foreign privacy or data protection laws and
regulations; and

(q) Generally perform such acts as may be necessary to

facilitate cross-border enforcement of data privacy
protection.

SEC. 8. Confidentiality. – The Commission shall ensure

at all times the confidentiality of any personal
information that comes to its knowledge and possession.

SEC. 9. Organizational Structure of the Commission. –

The Commission shall be attached to the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
and shall be headed by a Privacy Commissioner, who
shall also act as Chairman of the Commission. The
Privacy Commissioner shall be assisted by two (2)
Deputy Privacy Commissioners, one to be responsible
for Data Processing Systems and one to be responsible
for Policies and Planning. The Privacy Commissioner
and the two (2) Deputy Privacy Commissioners shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term

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of three (3) years, and may be reappointed for another
term of three (3) years. Vacancies in the Commission
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original
appointment was made.

The Privacy Commissioner must be at least thirty-five

(35) years of age and of good moral character,
unquestionable integrity and known probity, and a
recognized expert in the field of information technology
and data privacy. The Privacy Commissioner shall enjoy
the benefits, privileges and emoluments equivalent to the
rank of Secretary.

The Deputy Privacy Commissioners must be recognized

experts in the field of information and communications
technology and data privacy. They shall enjoy the
benefits, privileges and emoluments equivalent to the
rank of Undersecretary.

The Privacy Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioners,

or any person acting on their behalf or under their
direction, shall not be civilly liable for acts done in good
faith in the performance of their duties. However, he or
she shall be liable for willful or negligent acts done by
him or her which are contrary to law, morals, public
policy and good customs even if he or she acted under
orders or instructions of superiors: Provided, That in
case a lawsuit is filed against such official on the subject
of the performance of his or her duties, where such
performance is lawful, he or she shall be reimbursed by
the Commission for reasonable costs of litigation.

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SEC. 10. The Secretariat. – The Commission is hereby
authorized to establish a Secretariat. Majority of the
members of the Secretariat must have served for at least
five (5) years in any agency of the government that is
involved in the processing of personal information
including, but not limited to, the following offices:
Social Security System (SSS), Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS), Land Transportation Office
(LTO), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Commission
on Elections (COMELEC), Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and
Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost).

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CHAPTER III
PROCESSING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

SEC. 11. General Data Privacy Principles. – The

processing of personal information shall be allowed,
subject to compliance with the requirements of this Act
and other laws allowing disclosure of information to the
public and adherence to the principles of transparency,
legitimate purpose and proportionality.

Personal information must, be:,

(a) Collected for specified and legitimate purposes

determined and declared before, or as soon as reasonably
practicable after collection, and later processed in a way
compatible with such declared, specified and legitimate

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purposes only;

(b) Processed fairly and lawfully;

(c) Accurate, relevant and, where necessary for purposes

for which it is to be used the processing of personal
information, kept up to date; inaccurate or incomplete
data must be rectified, supplemented, destroyed or their
further processing restricted;

(d) Adequate and not excessive in relation to the

purposes for which they are collected and processed;

(e) Retained only for as long as necessary for the

fulfillment of the purposes for which the data was
obtained or for the establishment, exercise or defense of
legal claims, or for legitimate business purposes, or as
provided by law; and

(f) Kept in a form which permits identification of data

subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes
for which the data were collected and processed:
Provided, That personal information collected for other
purposes may lie processed for historical, statistical or
scientific purposes, and in cases laid down in law may
be stored for longer periods: Provided, further,That
adequate safeguards are guaranteed by said laws
authorizing their processing.

The personal information controller must ensure

implementation of personal information processing

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principles set out herein.

SEC. 12. Criteria for Lawful Processing of Personal

Information. – The processing of personal information
shall be permitted only if not otherwise prohibited by
law, and when at least one of the following conditions
exists:

(a) The data subject has given his or her consent;

(b) The processing of personal information is necessary

and is related to the fulfillment of a contract with the
data subject or in order to take steps at the request of the
data subject prior to entering into a contract;

(c) The processing is necessary for compliance with a

legal obligation to which the personal information
controller is subject;

(d) The processing is necessary to protect vitally

important interests of the data subject, including life and
health;

(e) The processing is necessary in order to respond to

national emergency, to comply with the requirements of
public order and safety, or to fulfill functions of public
authority which necessarily includes the processing of
personal data for the fulfillment of its mandate; or

(f) The processing is necessary for the purposes of the

legitimate interests pursued by the personal information

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controller or by a third party or parties to whom the data
is disclosed, except where such interests are overridden
by fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject
which require protection under the Philippine
Constitution.

SEC. 13. Sensitive Personal Information and Privileged

Information. – The processing of sensitive personal
information and privileged information shall be
prohibited, except in the following cases:

(a) The data subject has given his or her consent,

specific to the purpose prior to the processing, or in the
case of privileged information, all parties to the
exchange have given their consent prior to processing;

(b) The processing of the same is provided for by

existing laws and regulations: Provided, That such
regulatory enactments guarantee the protection of the
sensitive personal information and the privileged
information: Provided, further, That the consent of the
data subjects are not required by law or regulation
permitting the processing of the sensitive personal
information or the privileged information;

(c) The processing is necessary to protect the life and

health of the data subject or another person, and the data
subject is not legally or physically able to express his or
her consent prior to the processing;

(d) The processing is necessary to achieve the lawful and

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noncommercial objectives of public organizations and
their associations: Provided, That such processing is
only confined and related to the bona fide members of
these organizations or their associations: Provided,
further, That the sensitive personal information are not
transferred to third parties: Provided, finally, That
consent of the data subject was obtained prior to
processing;

(e) The processing is necessary for purposes of medical

treatment, is carried out by a medical practitioner or a
medical treatment institution, and an adequate level of
protection of personal information is ensured; or

(f) The processing concerns such personal information

as is necessary for the protection of lawful rights and
interests of natural or legal persons in court proceedings,
or the establishment, exercise or defense of legal claims,
or when provided to government or public authority.

SEC. 14. Subcontract of Personal Information. – A

personal information controller may subcontract the
processing of personal information: Provided, That the
personal information controller shall be responsible for
ensuring that proper safeguards are in place to ensure the
confidentiality of the personal information processed,
prevent its use for unauthorized purposes, and generally,
comply with the requirements of this Act and other laws
for processing of personal information. The personal
information processor shall comply with all the
requirements of this Act and other applicable laws.

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SEC. 15. Extension of Privileged Communication. –
Personal information controllers may invoke the
principle of privileged communication over privileged
information that they lawfully control or process.
Subject to existing laws and regulations, any evidence
gathered on privileged information is inadmissible.

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CHAPTER IV
RIGHTS OF THE DATA SUBJECT

SEC. 16. Rights of the Data Subject. – The data subject

is entitled to:

(a) Be informed whether personal information pertaining

to him or her shall be, are being or have been processed;

(b) Be furnished the information indicated hereunder

before the entry of his or her personal information into
the processing system of the personal information
controller, or at the next practical opportunity:

(1) Description of the personal information to be entered

into the system;

(2) Purposes for which they are being or are to be

processed;

(3) Scope and method of the personal information

processing;

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(4) The recipients or classes of recipients to whom they
are or may be disclosed;

(5) Methods utilized for automated access, if the same is

allowed by the data subject, and the extent to which such
access is authorized;

(6) The identity and contact details of the personal

information controller or its representative;

(7) The period for which the information will be stored;

and

(8) The existence of their rights, i.e., to access,

correction, as well as the right to lodge a complaint
before the Commission.

Any information supplied or declaration made to the

data subject on these matters shall not be amended
without prior notification of data subject: Provided, That
the notification under subsection (b) shall not apply
should the personal information be needed pursuant to a
subpoena or when the collection and processing are for
obvious purposes, including when it is necessary for the
performance of or in relation to a contract or service or
when necessary or desirable in the context of an
employer-employee relationship, between the collector
and the data subject, or when the information is being
collected and processed as a result of legal obligation;

(c) Reasonable access to, upon demand, the following:

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(1) Contents of his or her personal information that were
processed;

(2) Sources from which personal information were

obtained;

(3) Names and addresses of recipients of the personal

information;

(4) Manner by which such data were processed;

(5) Reasons for the disclosure of the personal

information to recipients;

(6) Information on automated processes where the data

will or likely to be made as the sole basis for any
decision significantly affecting or will affect the data
subject;

(7) Date when his or her personal information

concerning the data subject were last accessed and
modified; and

(8) The designation, or name or identity and address of

the personal information controller;

(d) Dispute the inaccuracy or error in the personal

information and have the personal information controller
correct it immediately and accordingly, unless the
request is vexatious or otherwise unreasonable. If the
personal information have been corrected, the personal

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information controller shall ensure the accessibility of
both the new and the retracted information and the
simultaneous receipt of the new and the retracted
information by recipients thereof: Provided, That the
third parties who have previously received such
processed personal information shall he informed of its
inaccuracy and its rectification upon reasonable request
of the data subject;

(e) Suspend, withdraw or order the blocking, removal or

destruction of his or her personal information from the
personal information controller’s filing system upon
discovery and substantial proof that the personal
information are incomplete, outdated, false, unlawfully
obtained, used for unauthorized purposes or are no
longer necessary for the purposes for which they were
collected. In this case, the personal information
controller may notify third parties who have previously
received such processed personal information; and

(f) Be indemnified for any damages sustained due to

such inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, false, unlawfully
obtained or unauthorized use of personal information.

SEC. 17. Transmissibility of Rights of the Data Subject.

– The lawful heirs and assigns of the data subject may
invoke the rights of the data subject for, which he or she
is an heir or assignee at any time after the death of the
data subject or when the data subject is incapacitated or
incapable of exercising the rights as enumerated in the
immediately preceding section.

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SEC. 18. Right to Data Portability. – The data subject
shall have the right, where personal information is
processed by electronic means and in a structured and
commonly used format, to obtain from the personal
information controller a copy of data undergoing
processing in an electronic or structured format, which is
commonly used and allows for further use by the data
subject. The Commission may specify the electronic
format referred to above, as well as the technical
standards, modalities and procedures for their transfer.

SEC. 19. Non-Applicability. – The immediately

preceding sections are not applicable if the processed
personal information are used only for the needs of
scientific and statistical research and, on the basis of
such, no activities are carried out and no decisions are
taken regarding the data subject: Provided, That the
personal information shall be held under strict
confidentiality and shall be used only for the declared
purpose. Likewise, the immediately preceding sections
are not applicable to processing of personal information
gathered for the purpose of investigations in relation to
any criminal, administrative or tax liabilities of a data
subject.

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CHAPTER V
SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

SEC. 20. Security of Personal Information. – (a) The

personal information controller must implement

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reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical and
technical measures intended for the protection of
personal information against any accidental or unlawful
destruction, alteration and disclosure, as well as against
any other unlawful processing.

(b) The personal information controller shall implement

reasonable and appropriate measures to protect personal
information against natural dangers such as accidental
loss or destruction, and human dangers such as unlawful
access, fraudulent misuse, unlawful destruction,
alteration and contamination.

(c) The determination of the appropriate level of security

under this section must take into account the nature of
the personal information to be protected, the risks
represented by the processing, the size of the
organization and complexity of its operations, current
data privacy best practices and the cost of security
implementation. Subject to guidelines as the
Commission may issue from time to time, the measures
implemented must include:

(1) Safeguards to protect its computer network against

accidental, unlawful or unauthorized usage or
interference with or hindering of their functioning or
availability;

(2) A security policy with respect to the processing of

personal information;

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(3) A process for identifying and accessing reasonably
foreseeable vulnerabilities in its computer networks, and
for taking preventive, corrective and mitigating action
against security incidents that can lead to a security
breach; and

(4) Regular monitoring for security breaches and a

process for taking preventive, corrective and mitigating
action against security incidents that can lead to a
security breach.

(d) The personal information controller must further

ensure that third parties processing personal information
on its behalf shall implement the security measures
required by this provision.

(e) The employees, agents or representatives of a

personal information controller who are involved in the
processing of personal information shall operate and
hold personal information under strict confidentiality if
the personal information are not intended for public
disclosure. This obligation shall continue even after
leaving the public service, transfer to another position or
upon termination of employment or contractual
relations.

(f) The personal information controller shall promptly

notify the Commission and affected data subjects when
sensitive personal information or other information that
may, under the circumstances, be used to enable identity
fraud are reasonably believed to have been acquired by

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an unauthorized person, and the personal information
controller or the Commission believes (bat such
unauthorized acquisition is likely to give rise to a real
risk of serious harm to any affected data subject. The
notification shall at least describe the nature of the
breach, the sensitive personal information possibly
involved, and the measures taken by the entity to address
the breach. Notification may be delayed only to the
extent necessary to determine the scope of the breach, to
prevent further disclosures, or to restore reasonable
integrity to the information and communications system.

(1) In evaluating if notification is unwarranted, the

Commission may take into account compliance by the
personal information controller with this section and
existence of good faith in the acquisition of personal
information.

(2) The Commission may exempt a personal information

controller from notification where, in its reasonable
judgment, such notification would not be in the public
interest or in the interests of the affected data subjects.

(3) The Commission may authorize postponement of

notification where it may hinder the progress of a
criminal investigation related to a serious breach.

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CHAPTER VI
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR TRANSFER OF
PERSONAL INFORMATION

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SEC. 21. Principle of Accountability. – Each personal
information controller is responsible for personal
information under its control or custody, including
information that have been transferred to a third party
for processing, whether domestically or internationally,
subject to cross-border arrangement and cooperation.

(a) The personal information controller is accountable

for complying with the requirements of this Act and
shall use contractual or other reasonable means to
provide a comparable level of protection while the
information are being processed by a third party.

(b) The personal information controller shall designate

an individual or individuals who are accountable for the
organization’s compliance with this Act. The identity of
the individual(s) so designated shall be made known to
any data subject upon request.

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CHAPTER VII
SECURITY OF SENSITIVE PERSONAL
INFORMATION IN GOVERNMENT

SEC. 22. Responsibility of Heads of Agencies. – All

sensitive personal information maintained by the
government, its agencies and instrumentalities shall be
secured, as far as practicable, with the use of the most
appropriate standard recognized by the information and
communications technology industry, and as
recommended by the Commission. The head of each

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government agency or instrumentality shall be
responsible for complying with the security
requirements mentioned herein while the Commission
shall monitor the compliance and may recommend the
necessary action in order to satisfy the minimum
standards.

SEC. 23. Requirements Relating to Access by Agency

Personnel to Sensitive Personal Information. – (a) On-
site and Online Access – Except as may be allowed
through guidelines to be issued by the Commission, no
employee of the government shall have access to
sensitive personal information on government property
or through online facilities unless the employee has
received a security clearance from the head of the source
agency.

(b) Off-site Access – Unless otherwise provided in

guidelines to be issued by the Commission, sensitive
personal information maintained by an agency may not
be transported or accessed from a location off
government property unless a request for such
transportation or access is submitted and approved by
the head of the agency in accordance with the following
guidelines:

(1) Deadline for Approval or Disapproval – In the case

of any request submitted to the head of an agency, such
head of the agency shall approve or disapprove the
request within two (2) business days after the date of
submission of the request. In case there is no action by

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the head of the agency, then such request is considered
disapproved;

(2) Limitation to One thousand (1,000) Records – If a

request is approved, the head of the agency shall limit
the access to not more than one thousand (1,000) records
at a time; and

(3) Encryption – Any technology used to store, transport

or access sensitive personal information for purposes of
off-site access approved under this subsection shall be
secured by the use of the most secure encryption
standard recognized by the Commission.

The requirements of this subsection shall be

implemented not later than six (6) months after the date
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 24. Applicability to Government Contractors. – In

entering into any contract that may involve accessing or
requiring sensitive personal information from one
thousand (1,000) or more individuals, an agency shall
require a contractor and its employees to register their
personal information processing system with the
Commission in accordance with this Act and to comply
with the other provisions of this Act including the
immediately preceding section, in the same manner as
agencies and government employees comply with such
requirements.

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29
CHAPTER VIII
PENALTIES

SEC. 25. Unauthorized Processing of Personal

Information and Sensitive Personal Information. – (a)
The unauthorized processing of personal information
shall be penalized by imprisonment ranging from one (1)
year to three (3) years and a fine of not less than Five
hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more
than Two million pesos (Php2,000,000.00) shall be
imposed on persons who process personal information
without the consent of the data subject, or without being
authorized under this Act or any existing law.

(b) The unauthorized processing of personal sensitive

information shall be penalized by imprisonment ranging
from three (3) years to six (6) years and a fine of not less
than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but
not more than Four million pesos (Php4,000,000.00)
shall be imposed on persons who process personal
information without the consent of the data subject, or
without being authorized under this Act or any existing
law.

SEC. 26. Accessing Personal Information and Sensitive

Personal Information Due to Negligence. – (a)
Accessing personal information due to negligence shall
be penalized by imprisonment ranging from one (1) year
to three (3) years and a fine of not less than Five
hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more
than Two million pesos (Php2,000,000.00) shall be

30
imposed on persons who, due to negligence, provided
access to personal information without being authorized
under this Act or any existing law.

(b) Accessing sensitive personal information due to

negligence shall be penalized by imprisonment ranging
from three (3) years to six (6) years and a fine of not less
than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but
not more than Four million pesos (Php4,000,000.00)
shall be imposed on persons who, due to negligence,
provided access to personal information without being
authorized under this Act or any existing law.

SEC. 27. Improper Disposal of Personal Information

and Sensitive Personal Information. – (a) The improper
disposal of personal information shall be penalized by
imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to two (2)
years and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand
pesos (Php100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred
thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) shall be imposed on
persons who knowingly or negligently dispose, discard
or abandon the personal information of an individual in
an area accessible to the public or has otherwise placed
the personal information of an individual in its container
for trash collection.

(b) The improper disposal of sensitive personal

information shall be penalized by imprisonment ranging
from one (1) year to three (3) years and a fine of not less
than One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) but
not more than One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00)

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shall be imposed on persons who knowingly or
negligently dispose, discard or abandon the personal
information of an individual in an area accessible to the
public or has otherwise placed the personal information
of an individual in its container for trash collection.

SEC. 28. Processing of Personal Information and

Sensitive Personal Information for Unauthorized
Purposes. – The processing of personal information for
unauthorized purposes shall be penalized by
imprisonment ranging from one (1) year and six (6)
months to five (5) years and a fine of not less than Five
hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more
than One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) shall be
imposed on persons processing personal information for
purposes not authorized by the data subject, or otherwise
authorized under this Act or under existing laws.

The processing of sensitive personal information for

unauthorized purposes shall be penalized by
imprisonment ranging from two (2) years to seven (7)
years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand
pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more than Two million
pesos (Php2,000,000.00) shall be imposed on persons
processing sensitive personal information for purposes
not authorized by the data subject, or otherwise
authorized under this Act or under existing laws.

SEC. 29. Unauthorized Access or Intentional Breach. –

The penalty of imprisonment ranging from one (1) year
to three (3) years and a fine of not less than Five

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hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more
than Two million pesos (Php2,000,000.00) shall be
imposed on persons who knowingly and unlawfully, or
violating data confidentiality and security data systems,
breaks in any way into any system where personal and
sensitive personal information is stored.

SEC. 30. Concealment of Security Breaches Involving

Sensitive Personal Information. – The penalty of
imprisonment of one (1) year and six (6) months to five
(5) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred
thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more than One
million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) shall be imposed on
persons who, after having knowledge of a security
breach and of the obligation to notify the Commission
pursuant to Section 20(f), intentionally or by omission
conceals the fact of such security breach.

SEC. 31. Malicious Disclosure. – Any personal

information controller or personal information processor
or any of its officials, employees or agents, who, with
malice or in bad faith, discloses unwarranted or false
information relative to any personal information or
personal sensitive information obtained by him or her,
shall be subject to imprisonment ranging from one (1)
year and six (6) months to five (5) years and a fine of not
less than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00)
but not more than One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00).

SEC. 32. Unauthorized Disclosure. – (a) Any personal

information controller or personal information processor

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or any of its officials, employees or agents, who
discloses to a third party personal information not
covered by the immediately preceding section without
the consent of the data subject, shall he subject to
imprisonment ranging from one (1) year to three (3)
years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand
pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more than One million
pesos (Php1,000,000.00).

(b) Any personal information controller or personal

information processor or any of its officials, employees
or agents, who discloses to a third party sensitive
personal information not covered by the immediately
preceding section without the consent of the data
subject, shall be subject to imprisonment ranging from
three (3) years to five (5) years and a fine of not less
than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but
not more than Two million pesos (Php2,000,000.00).

SEC. 33. Combination or Series of Acts. – Any

combination or series of acts as defined in Sections 25 to
32 shall make the person subject to imprisonment
ranging from three (3) years to six (6) years and a fine of
not less than One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) but
not more than Five million pesos (Php5,000,000.00).

SEC. 34. Extent of Liability. – 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, who participated in, or by their gross
negligence, allowed the commission of the crime. If the

34
offender is a juridical person, the court may suspend or
revoke any of its rights under this Act. If the offender is
an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties
herein prescribed, be deported without further
proceedings after serving the penalties prescribed. If the
offender is a public official or employee and lie or she is
found guilty of acts penalized under Sections 27 and 28
of this Act, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties
prescribed herein, suffer perpetual or temporary absolute
disqualification from office, as the case may be.

SEC. 35. Large-Scale. – The maximum penalty in the

scale of penalties respectively provided for the preceding
offenses shall be imposed when the personal information
of at least one hundred (100) persons is harmed, affected
or involved as the result of the above mentioned actions.

SEC. 36. Offense Committed by Public Officer. – When

the offender or the person responsible for the offense is a
public officer as defined in the Administrative Code of
the Philippines in the exercise of his or her duties, an
accessory penalty consisting in the disqualification to
occupy public office for a term double the term of
criminal penalty imposed shall he applied.

SEC. 37. Restitution. – Restitution for any aggrieved

party shall be governed by the provisions of the New
Civil Code.

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CHAPTER IX

35
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 38. Interpretation. – Any doubt in the

interpretation of any provision of this Act shall be
liberally interpreted in a manner mindful of the rights
and interests of the individual about whom personal
information is processed.

SEC. 39. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). –

Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act,
the Commission shall promulgate the rules and
regulations to effectively implement the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 40. Reports and Information. – The Commission

shall annually report to the President and Congress on its
activities in carrying out the provisions of this Act. The
Commission shall undertake whatever efforts it may
determine to be necessary or appropriate to inform and
educate the public of data privacy, data protection and
fair information rights and responsibilities.

SEC. 41. Appropriations Clause. – The Commission

shall be provided with an initial appropriation of Twenty
million pesos (Php20,000,000.00) to be drawn from the
national government. Appropriations for the succeeding
years shall be included in the General Appropriations
Act. It shall likewise receive Ten million pesos
(Php10,000,000.00) per year for five (5) years upon
implementation of this Act drawn from the national
government.

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SEC. 42. Transitory Provision. – Existing industries,
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of
this Act shall be given one (1) year transitory period
from the effectivity of the IRR or such other period as
may be determined by the Commission, to comply with
the requirements of this Act.

In case that the DICT has not yet been created by the
time the law takes full force and effect, the National
Privacy Commission shall be attached to the Office of
the President.

SEC. 43. 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.

SEC. 44. Repealing Clause. – The provision of Section 7

of Republic Act No. 9372, otherwise known as the
“Human Security Act of 2007”, is hereby amended.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all
other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and
administrative regulations or parts thereof inconsistent
herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 45. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect

fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation.

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37
 Approved,

NTE JR.
(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE President of the Senate
entatives
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No.
2965 and House Bill No. 4115 was finally passed
by the Senate and the House of Representatives on
June 6, 2012.
-YAP
(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES Secretary of the Senate

Approved: AUG 15 2012

O III President of the Philippines

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