Republic Act 9995Anti-Photo and Video

Voyeurism Act of 2009AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF PHOTO AND VIDEO VOYEURISM, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

What is it about?The law makes it a crime to take photos of a naked person without his or her consent, and also to record a video of people having sex without their consent.

Irwin Tieng, the main author of Republic Act 9995.

Primer on the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009(RA 9995)

Republic Act No. 9995, also known as the “Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009“. Here’s a primer on this anti-voyeurism law.What is the definition of “photo or video voyeurism”?

• It is the act of taking photo or video coverage of a person or group of persons performing sexual act or any similar activity or of capturing an image of the private area of a person or persons without the latter’s consent.

• The act of selling, copying, reproducing, broadcasting, sharing, showing or exhibiting the photo or video coverage or recordings of such sexual act or similar activity through VCD/DVD, internet, cellular phones and similar means or device without the written consent of the person/s involved, notwithstanding that consent to record or take photo or video coverage of same was given by such person’s.

Specific acts prohibited and punished under the “Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009″.

1. To take photo or video coverage of a person or group of persons performing sexual act or any similar activity or to capture an image of the private area of a person/s such as the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast without the consent of the person/s involved and under circumstances in which the person/s has/have a reasonable expectation of privacy.2. To copy or reproduce, or to cause to be copied or reproduced, such photo or video or recording of sexual act or any similar activity with or without consideration. It is immaterial if consent to record or take photo or video coverage of the same was given by such person/s.

3. To sell or distribute, or cause to be sold or distributed, such photo or video or recording of sexual act, whether it be the original copy or reproduction thereof. It is immaterial if consent to record or take photo or video coverage of the same was given by such person/s.

4. To publish or broadcast, or cause to be published or broadcast, whether in print or broadcast media, or show or exhibit the photo or video coverage or recordings of such sexual act or any similar activity through VCD/DVD, internet, cellular phones and other similar means or device. It is immaterial if consent to record or take photo or video coverage of the same was given by such person/s.

The first act speaks of “circumstances in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy”, what does this mean?

It means circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that:he/she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image or a private area of the person was being captured; ora private area of the person would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether that person is in a public or private place.

What do you mean by “private area of a person”?It means the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast of an individual.

If there’s an undergarment (e.g., brief or panty) covering the private parts, is this still covered by the law?Yes. Based on the definition above, the genitals, pubic area, buttocks or female breast of an individual may be naked or clad with undergarment.

What if the photo shows the breasts of a man, is this covered by the law?No. The law only covers female breasts.

If the photo shows only the side of a female breast, without the nipple, is this still covered by the law?Yes. The term “female breast” includes “any portion of the female breast”.

What is the meaning of “capture”?

With respect to an image, it means to videotape, photograph, film, record by any means, or broadcast.

What if the other person was aware of and consented to the taking of the photograph?

Even if there was consent to the taking of the photo, if there is no consent to the sharing or exhibition, then the offending party would still be liable.

What do you mean by “broadcast”?

“Broadcast” means to make public, by any means, a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons.

Are these materials admissible in evidence?As a general rule, NO. The record, photo or video, or copy thereof, obtained or secured by any person in violation of this law shall not be admissible in evidence in any judicial, quasi-judicial, legislative or administrative hearing or investigation.

However, any peace officer may secure an order of the court to use the record or any copy thereof as evidence in any civil, criminal investigation or trial of the crime of photo or video voyeurism. The written order shall only be issued or granted upon written application and the examination under oath or affirmation of the applicant and the witnesses he/she may produce, and upon showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that photo or video voyeurism has been committed or is about to be committed, and that the evidence to be obtained is essential to the conviction of any person for, or to the solution or prevention of such, crime.

Will a person be held liable in case the victim gave his/her consent to record or take photo or video coverage?The prohibitions shall apply notwithstanding that consent to record or take photo or video coverage was given.

What are the penalties for violation of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009?At the discretion of the Court, it may impose upon any person found violating the said law the following penalties:If the offender is a natural person imprisonment of not less than three (3) years but not more than seven (7) years, and a fine of not less than Php100,000.00 but not more than Php500,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine

The Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 was passed as a solution to prevent the proliferation of scandals the most notable of which is the one which involved Dr. Hayden Kho, Dr. Maricar Reyes as well as actress Katrina Halili. The law itself provides that its main objective is to penalize acts that will destroy the honor, integrity and dignity of a person.

Consequences:If the offender is a juridical person:it’s license or franchise shall be automatically deemed revoked, andthe persons liable shall be the officers.

If the offender is a public officer or employee or a professional:he/she shall be administratively liable

If the offender is an alien:he/she shall be subject to deportation proceedings after serving his/her sentence and payment of fine

What are the exemptions to this law? A peace officer who is authorized by written order of the court, to use the record or any copy thereof as evidence in any civil, criminal investigation or trial of the crime of photo or video voyeurismProvided the following conditions are met;the written order shall only be granted upon written application and the examination under oath or affirmation of the applicant and the witnesses he/she may produce, and upon showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that photo or video voyeurism has been committed or is about to be committed, and the evidence to be obtained is essential to the conviction of any person for, or to the solution or prevention of such crime.

Important things to remember

1.  Photo or Video Voyeurism means:

    a. the act of taking a photo or video of a person/s performing a sexual act or any similar activity without the latter's consent, under circumstances where such person/s has/have a reasonable expectation of privacy;

   b. capturing an image of the private area of a person/s without the latter's consent, under circumstances where such person/s has/have a reasonable expectation of privacy; or

    c.  the act of selling, copying, reproducing, broadcasting, sharing, showing or exhibiting the photo or video of such sexual act or similar activity through DVD, the internet, cellphones and similar means or devices without the written consent of the person/s involved, even though  consent to record or take the photo or video of the same was initially given.

2. A person is guilty of Photo or Video Voyeurism when there is:

    a. taking a photo or video of a person/s performing a sexual act or any similar activity or capturing an image of the private area of a person/s such as the naked or undergarment clad genitals, public area (?), buttocks or female breast without the consent of the person/s involved and under circumstances in which the person/s has/have a reasonable expectation of privacy.   b. copying or reproducing such photo or video of a sexual act or any similar activity for a fee or for free, even though consent to record was given initially.

c. selling or distributing such photo or video of a sexual act, whether it be the original or a copy, even though consent to record was given initially.

    d. publishing or broadcasting, whether in print or broadcast media of such sexual act, even though consent to record was given initially.

    e. showing or exhibiting the photo or video of such sexual act through DVD, internet, cellphones and other similar means or device, even though consent to record was given initially.

3. If a person is found guilty of Photo or Video Voyeurism, he'll be looking at jail time of up to 7 years and a fine costing as much as P500,000.00!

Approved by:

(Sgd.) PROSPERO C. NOGRALES Speaker of the House of Representatives

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILESenate President

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2357 and House Bill No. 6571 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 1, 2009 and November 18, 2009, respectively.

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAPSecretary GeneralHouse of Represenatives

(Sgd.)EMMA LIRIO-REYES Secretary of SenateApproved: FEB 15, 2010

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYOPresident of the Philippines

References:

http://www.jamesbiron.com/2010/07/anti-photo-and-video-voyeurism-act-of-2009-ra-9995/

http://philippinelaws4everyone.blogspot.com/2011/07/ra-9995-anti-photo-and-video-voyeurism.html

http://jlp-law.com/blog/primer-on-the-anti-photo-and-video-voyeurism-act-of-2009-ra-9995/

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/students-facebook-scandal-test-case-voyeurism-law-philippines-20110303-023002-364.html