Cayetano wants CCTVs in government offices to ensure corruption-free transactions
Published Aug 11, 2019 02:44 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Pia Cayetano is seeking the passage of a measure that would mandate all government agencies to set up close circuit television (CCTV) systems in their respective offices to ensure corruption-free transactions.
Senator Pia S. Cayetano (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Senate Bill No. 503, is in keeping with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to Congress to help end corruption in government which he reiterated during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Duterte earlier made the same suggestion to install CCTV cameras in government offices to help monitor the activities of state workers and help avoid corruption.
Cayetano said public office is a public trust, “and therefore should be transparent and accountable to the people at all times.”
She said the measure is also aligned with the government's commitment to attain Goal 16 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
“Ridding our institutions of corruption means better quality social services which would help the country achieve all SDGs by 2030,” Cayetano noted.
The measure, entitled “Surveillance Camera for Government Establishments Act” seeks to capture on video the day-to-day transactions of government offices, especially those rendering frontline services.
The senator said CCTVs will help deter corrupt practices, such as public officials asking for kickbacks or bribes to hasten government transactions.
The bill primarily mandates the installation of surveillance cameras with audio recording technology.
The measure also ensures that the CCTVs are maintained within the premises of government offices, especially in the country’s immigration counters, land transportation offices, customs, internal revenue offices, permits offices, and land transportation offices.
Under the measure, surveillance cameras shall always be switched on and recording on a 24/7 basis. Security employees or personnel shall be specifically tasked to monitor the video feeds.
Areas exempted from CCTV installation are those that require privacy like restrooms, shower rooms, changing rooms, and the like.
The lawmaker said concerned government offices shall also prohibit any use, viewing, disclosure, or publication of video recordings that are not within the mandate of the proposed measure.
Based on the bill, the use of video records shall only be allowed in specific instances where they are needed: for the investigation or prosecution of a punishable offense; for a pending criminal or civil proceeding; for the avoidance of an imminent threat to persons or property; or to ascertain the identity of a criminal.
Senator Pia S. Cayetano (Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Senate Bill No. 503, is in keeping with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to Congress to help end corruption in government which he reiterated during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Duterte earlier made the same suggestion to install CCTV cameras in government offices to help monitor the activities of state workers and help avoid corruption.
Cayetano said public office is a public trust, “and therefore should be transparent and accountable to the people at all times.”
She said the measure is also aligned with the government's commitment to attain Goal 16 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
“Ridding our institutions of corruption means better quality social services which would help the country achieve all SDGs by 2030,” Cayetano noted.
The measure, entitled “Surveillance Camera for Government Establishments Act” seeks to capture on video the day-to-day transactions of government offices, especially those rendering frontline services.
The senator said CCTVs will help deter corrupt practices, such as public officials asking for kickbacks or bribes to hasten government transactions.
The bill primarily mandates the installation of surveillance cameras with audio recording technology.
The measure also ensures that the CCTVs are maintained within the premises of government offices, especially in the country’s immigration counters, land transportation offices, customs, internal revenue offices, permits offices, and land transportation offices.
Under the measure, surveillance cameras shall always be switched on and recording on a 24/7 basis. Security employees or personnel shall be specifically tasked to monitor the video feeds.
Areas exempted from CCTV installation are those that require privacy like restrooms, shower rooms, changing rooms, and the like.
The lawmaker said concerned government offices shall also prohibit any use, viewing, disclosure, or publication of video recordings that are not within the mandate of the proposed measure.
Based on the bill, the use of video records shall only be allowed in specific instances where they are needed: for the investigation or prosecution of a punishable offense; for a pending criminal or civil proceeding; for the avoidance of an imminent threat to persons or property; or to ascertain the identity of a criminal.