NPC applauds SC for its Resolution in complying with the DPA
PASAY CITY, April 26, 2024 - The National Privacy Commission (NPC) commends the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC) for its Resolution dated January 23, 2024, regarding the designation of the Compliance Officers for Privacy and Registration with the NPC. This facilitates the coordinated compliance and implementation of Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the “Data Privacy Act of 2012” (DPA) to all court stations in the country.
In the Resolution, the SC En Banc, acting on the recommendation of Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa as the Chairperson of the Committee on Data Privacy, provides for the designation of all current and future Executive Judges of multiple-sala stations and Presiding Judges of single-sala stations of both Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) and Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs) as Compliance Officers for Privacy (COPs) of their respective stations. The SC will also proceed to register the Court’s COPs with the NPC. These steps taken by SC promote accountability in the judiciary and ensure that the data privacy rights of all Filipinos are protected and upheld.
“In an exalted show of compliance with the DPA, the NPC applauds the Supreme Court, under the leadership of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, for its dedication and commitment in safeguarding data privacy within the judiciary,” said Privacy Commissioner Atty. John Henry D. Naga. “We strongly urge that all organizations, including government agencies, private institutions, and individuals, follow-through with the Supreme Court and comply with the DPA and issuances of the NPC,” he added.
The NPC Circular 2022-04 mandates personal information controllers (PICs) and personal information processors (PIPs) to register their data processing systems and appoint a Data Protection Officer. For organizations with several branches, offices, or a wide scope of operations, like the SC, they may designate one or more COPs.
PICs and PIPs can register through the NPC Registration System at https://npcregistration.privacy.gov.ph/.
For reference, you may access the NPC Circular 2022-04 here.
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