An Act Confirming and Strengthening the Right of People to Film Public Service, Transactions, etc.

Project Jurisprudence suggests that Congress enact the following draft as law:

Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

Section 2. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people.

Section 3. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Section 4. It is hereby confirmed that the people have a right to film or take video of their transactions with the government, local or national, including government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs). They shall not be questioned or criticized for doing so. They shall not be requested or ordered to stop filming.
Section 5. Any government employee, officer or official questioning or criticizing any person transacting with the government for filming or taking a video of said transaction or any such employee, officer or official requesting or ordering any person to stop filming or taking a video of a government transaction shall be punished by 15 days of suspension without pay and shall be ordered to pay seven thousand pesos (Php7,000) to the aggrieved individual who was so questioned, criticized ordered or requested.

NOTE: Additional rules are needed to make this proposed law more effective. Such additional rules include protection to the aggrieved individual, the procedure of filing and others. Moreover, certain exceptions should be made such as cases involving national security.