45 sections indexed, 20 with our notes. Our index and notes; the law itself is at its source: official text ↗

Chapter I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 5

Protection Afforded to Journalists and Their Sources

1
Request deadline. Respond without undue delay and within 30 working days, extendable by 15 working days for complex requests. NPC Advisory 2021-01 s.5(E)
Open section 5 in the official text ↗
Section 6

Extraterritorial Application

2
Reach abroad. Applies to processing outside the Philippines of citizens' or residents' data where the entity has a Philippine link (contract, branch, business, data collected there). s.6 · from a secondary source
Open section 6 in the official text ↗

Chapter II THE NATIONAL PRIVACY COMMISSION

Chapter III PROCESSING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Section 12

Criteria for Lawful Processing of Personal Information

1
Lawful basis. Multiple bases: consent, contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public order, public authority and legitimate interests. s.12(a)-(f); IRR s.21 · from a secondary source
Open section 12 in the official text ↗
Section 13

Sensitive Personal Information and Privileged Information

2
Sensitive data. Processing sensitive and privileged information is prohibited except for listed cases such as specific consent, legal authorization or medical emergencies. s.13; IRR s.22 · from a secondary source
Open section 13 in the official text ↗

Chapter IV RIGHTS OF THE DATA SUBJECT

Chapter V SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Section 20

Security of Personal Information

2
Tell the regulator. Notify the NPC within 72 hours of knowledge of a breach involving sensitive or fraud-enabling data with real risk of serious harm. s.20(f); IRR s.38(a)
3
Tell people. Notify affected data subjects within the same 72 hours when the breach meets the notification trigger. s.20(f); IRR s.38(a)
Open section 20 in the official text ↗

Chapter VI ACCOUNTABILITY FOR TRANSFER OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Section 21

Principle of Accountability

3
DPO required. Every personal information controller and processor must designate a DPO or accountable individual, and register one DPO. s.21(b); IRR s.26(a); Circular 2022-04 s.8
1
Transfers abroad. No adequacy regime; controller stays accountable for data sent abroad and must ensure comparable protection by contract or other means. s.21(a); IRR s.44 · from a secondary source
Open section 21 in the official text ↗

Chapter VII SECURITY OF SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION IN GOVERNMENT

Chapter VIII PENALTIES

Section 25

Unauthorized Processing of Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 25 in the official text ↗
Section 26

Accessing Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information Due to Negligence

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 26 in the official text ↗
Section 27

Improper Disposal of Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 27 in the official text ↗
Section 28

Processing of Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information for Unauthorized Purposes

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 28 in the official text ↗
Section 29

Unauthorized Access or Intentional Breach

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 29 in the official text ↗
Section 30

Concealment of Security Breaches Involving Sensitive Personal Information

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 30 in the official text ↗
Section 31

Malicious Disclosure

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 31 in the official text ↗
Section 32

Unauthorized Disclosure

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 32 in the official text ↗
Section 33

Combination or Series of Acts

1
Maximum fine. Criminal fines up to PHP 5 million; administrative fines up to 3% of annual gross income, capped at PHP 5 million (about USD 86k) per act. ss.25-33; Circular 2022-01 s.2
3
Criminal liability. Broad offenses with 1 to 6 years' imprisonment; responsible officers of corporations who participated or were grossly negligent are punished. ss.25-34 · from a secondary source
Open section 33 in the official text ↗

Chapter IX MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Start from the question. Pick a topic to see the sections of DPA (Philippines) that deal with it, and how 39 laws compare on it.

This index, the topic tags and the notes are ours, scored on the published rubric. Headings marked "our heading" are our descriptions where the source has none. Always read the official text before acting. Not legal advice.

Regulations library

Every US state privacy law, on one map

24 states have a comprehensive privacy law in the library, alongside the EU, UK, US federal and global laws: 102 in all, each explained in plain words with its sources. Select a state to see what applies there.

  • In force
  • Coming into force
  • Sector laws
AK ME VT NH WA ID MT ND MN IL WI MI NY RI MA OR NV WY SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC DC OK LA MS AL GA HI TX FL