Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
  PART I SHORT TITLE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Electronic Commerce Act of 2000". chanrobles law firm

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology (ICT) in nation-building; the need to create an information-friendly environment which supports and ensures the availability, diversity and affordability of ICT products and services; the primary responsibility of the private sector in contributing investments and services in telecommunications and information technology; the need to develop, with appropriate training programs and institutional policy changes, human resources for the information technology age, a labor force skilled in the use of ICT and a population capable of operating and utilizing electronic appliances and computers; its obligation to facilitate the transfer and promotion of adaptation technology, to ensure network security, connectivity and neutrality of  technology for the national benefit; and the need to marshal, organize and deploy national information infrastructures, comprising in both telecommunications network and strategic information services, including their interconnection to the global information networks, with the necessary and appropriate legal, financial, diplomatic and technical framework, systems and facilities.chanrobles law firm
 

Sec. 3. Objective. - This Act aims to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions, arrangements, agreements, contracts and exchanges and storage of information through the utilization of electronic, optical and similar medium, mode, instrumentality and technology to recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic documents related to such activities and to promote the universal use of electronic transaction in the government and general public.

Sec. 4. Sphere of Application. - This Act shall apply to any kind of data message and electronic document used in the context of commercial and non-commercial activities to include domestic and international dealings, transactions, arrangements, agreements, contracts and exchanges and storage of information. chanrobles law firm

Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined, as follows:

a. “Addressee” refers to a person who is intended by the originator to receive the electronic data message or electronic document. The term does not include a person acting as an intermediary with respect to that electronic data message or electronic document.

b. “Computer” refers to any device or apparatus which, by electronic,electro-mechanical or magnetic impulse, or by other means, is capable of receiving, recording, transmitting, storing, processing, retrieving, or producing information, data, figures, symbols or other modes of written expression according to mathematical and logical rules or of performing any one or more of those functions.

c. “Electronic Data Message” refers to information generated, sent, received or stored by electronic, optical or similar means.

d. “Information and Communication System” refers to a system intended for and capable of generating, sending, receiving, storing or otherwise processing electronic data messages or electronic documents and includes the computer system or other similar device by or in which data is recorded or stored and any procedures related to the recording or storage of electronic data message or electronic document. chanrobles law firm

e. “Electronic Signature” refers to any distinctive mark, characteristic and/or sound in electronic form, representing the identity of a person and attached to or logically associated with the electronic data message or electronic document or any methodology or procedures employed or adopted by a person and executed or adopted by such person with the intention of authenticating or approving an electronic data message or electronic document.

f. “Electronic Document” refers to information or the representation of information, data, figures, symbols or other modes of written expression, described or however represented, by which a right is established or an obligation extinguished, or by which a fact may be proved and affirmed, which is received, recorded, transmitted, stored, processed, retrieved or produced electronically.

g. “Electronic Key” refers to a secret code which secures and defendssensitive information that crosses over public channels into a form decipherable only with a matching electronic key.

h. “Intermediary” refers to a person who in behalf of another person and with respect to a particular electronic document sends, receives and/or stores or provides other services in respect of that electronic document.

i. “Originator” refers to a person by whom, or on whose behalf, the electronic document purports to have been created, generated and/or sent . The term does not include a person acting as an intermediary with respect to that electronic document.

j. “Service Provider” refers to a provider of -
 

(i) On-line services or network access, or the operator of facilities therefor, including entities offering the transmission, routing, or providing of connections for online communications, digital or otherwise, between or among points specified by a user, of electronic documents of the user’s choosing; or

(ii) The necessary technical means by which electronic documents of an originator may be stored and made accessible to a designated or undesignated third party; chanrobles law firm

Sec. 6. Legal Recognition of Data Messages. - Information shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the grounds that it is in the data message purporting to give rise to such legal effect, or that it is merely referred to in that electronic data message.

Sec. 7. Legal Recognition of Electronic Documents. – Electronic documents shall have the legal effect, validity or enforceability as any other document or legal writing, and -

(a) Where the law requires a document to be in writing, that requirement is met by an electronic document if the said electronic document maintains its integrity and reliability and can be authenticated so as to be usable for subsequent reference, in that -

(i) The electronic document has remained complete and unaltered, apart from the addition of any endorsement and any authorized change, or any change which arises in the normal course of communication, storage and display; and

(ii) The electronic document is reliable in the light of the purpose for which it was generated and in the light of all the relevant circumstances.

(b) Paragraph (a) applies whether the requirement therein is in the form of an obligation or whether the law simply provides consequences for the document not being presented or retained in its original form.chanrobles law firm

(c) Where the law requires that a document be presented or retained in its original form, that requirement is met by an electronic document if -

(i) There exists a reliable assurance as to the integrity of the document from the time when it was first generated in its final form; and

(ii) That document is capable of being displayed to the person to whom it is to be presented: Provided, That no provision of this Act shall apply to vary any and all requirements of existing laws on formalities required in the execution of documents for their validity.

This Act does not modify any statutory rule relating to the admissibility of electronic data messages or electronic documents, except the rules relating to authentication and best evidence.

Sec. 8. Legal Recognition of Electronic Signatures. - An electronic signature on the electronic document shall be equivalent to the signature of a person on a written document if that signature is proved by showing that a prescribed procedure, not alterable by the parties interested in the electronic document, existed under which -

(a) A method is used to identify the party sought to be bound and toindicate said party’s access to the electronic document necessary for his consent or approval through the electronic signature;

(b) Said method is reliable and appropriate for the purpose for which the electronic document was generated or communicated, in the light of all the circumstances, including any relevant agreement;

(c) It is necessary for the party sought to be bound, in order to proceed further with the transaction, to have executed or provided the electronic signature; and

(d) The other party is authorized and enabled to verify the electronic signature and to make the decision to proceed with the transaction authenticated by the same.

(a) The electronic signature is the signature of the person to whom itcorrelates; and

(b) The electronic signature was affixed by that person with the intention of signing or approving the electronic document unless the person relying on the electronically signed electronic document knows or has notice of defects in or unreliability of the signature or reliance on the electronic signature is not reasonable under the circumstances.  chanrobles law firm

(a) the integrity of the information from the time when it was firstgenerated in its final form, as an electronic data message or electronic document is shown by evidence aliunde or otherwise; and

(b) where it is required that information be presented, that the information is capable of being displayed to the person to whom it is to be presented.

(3) For the purposes of subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1):

(a) the criteria for assessing integrity shall be whether the information has remained complete and unaltered, apart from the addition of any endorsement and any change which arises in the normal course of communication, storage and display; and

(b) the standard of reliability required shall be assessed in the light of the purpose for which the information was generated and in the light of all relevant circumstances. chanrobles law firm

(a) The electronic signature shall be authenticated by proof that a letter, character, number or other symbol in electronic form representing the persons named in and attached to or logically associated with an electronic data message, electronic document, or that the appropriate methodology or security procedures, when applicable, were employed or adopted by a person and executed or adopted by such person, with the intention of authenticating or approving an electronic data message or electronic document;

(b) The electronic data message and electronic document shall be authenticated by proof that an appropriate security procedure, when applicable was adopted and employed for the purpose of verifying the originator of an electronic data message and/or electronic document, orndetecting error or alteration in the communication, content or storage of an electronic document or electronic data message from a specific point, which, using algorithm or codes, identifying words or numbers, encryptions, answers back or acknowledgment procedures, or similar security devices.

The person seeking to introduce an electronic data message and electronic document in any legal proceeding has the burden of proving itsauthenticity by evidence capable of supporting a finding that the electronic data message and electronic document is what the person claims it to be.

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the integrity of the information and communication system in which an electronic data message or electronic document is recorded or stored may be established in any legal proceeding -

(a) By evidence that at all material times the information andcommunication system or other similar device was operating in a manner that did not affect the integrity of the electronic data message and/or electronic document, and there are no other reasonable grounds to doubt the integrity of the information and communication system;

(b) By showing that the electronic data message and/or electronic document was recorded or stored by a party to the proceedings who is adverse in interest to the party using it; or

(c) By showing that the electronic data message and/or electronic document was recorded or stored in the usual and ordinary course of business by a person who is not a party to the proceedings and who did not act under the control of the party using the record.

a. On the sole ground that it is in electronic form; or

b. On the ground that it is not in the standard written form and electronic data message or electronic document meeting, and complying with the requirements under Sections 6 or 7 hereof shall be the best evidence of the agreement and transaction contained therein.

SEC. 13. Retention of Electronic Data Message and Electronic Document. - Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule or regulation to the contrary -

(a) The requirement in any provision of law that certaindocuments be retained in their original form is satisfied by retaining them in the form of an electronic data message or electronic document which -
 
i. Remains accessible so as to be usable for subsequent reference;chanrobles law firm

ii. Is retained in the format in which it was generated, sent or received, or in a format which can be demonstrated to accurately represent the electronic data message or electronic document generated, sent or received;

iii. Enables the identification of its originator and addressee, as well as the determination of the date and the time it was sent or received.
 

(b) The requirement referred to in paragraph (a) is satisfied by using the services of a third party, provided that the conditions set forth insubparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (a) are met.

SEC. 15. Cross-Examination. - (1) A deponent of an affidavit referred to in Section 14 that has been introduced in evidence may be cross-examined as of right by a party to the proceedings who is adverse in interest to the party who has introduced the affidavit or has caused theaffidavit to be introduced.

(2) Any party to the proceedings has the right to cross-examine a person referred to in Section 11, paragraph 4, sub-paragraph c.
 
 

SEC. 16. Formation and Validity of Electronic Contracts. - (1) Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, an offer, the acceptance of an offer and such other elements required under existing laws for the formation of contracts may be expressed in, demonstrated and proved by means of electronic data message or electronic documents and no contract shall be denied validity or enforceability on the sole ground that it is in the form of an electronic data message or electronic document, or that any or all of the elements required under existing laws for the formation of the contracts is expressed, demonstrated and proved by means of electronic documents.

(2) Electronic transactions made through networking among banks, or linkages thereof with other entities or networks, and vice versa, shall be deemed consummated upon the actual dispensing of cash or the debit of one account and the corresponding credit to another, whether such transaction is initiated by the depositor or by an authorized collecting party: Provided, that the obligation of one bank, entity, or person similarly situated to another arising therefrom shall be considered absoluteand shall not be subjected to the process of preference of credits.

SEC. 17. Recognition by Parties of Electronic Data Message or Electronic Document. - As between the originator and the addressee of a electronic data message or electronic document, a declaration of will or other statement shall not be denied legal effect, validity or enforceability solely on the ground that it is in the form of a electronic data message.

SEC. 18. Attribution of Electronic Data Message. - (1) An electronic data message or electronic document is that of the originator ifit was sent by the originator himself.

(2) As between the originator and the addressee, an electronic data message or electronic document is deemed to be that of the originator if itwas sent:

(a) by a person who had the authority to act on behalf of the originator  with respect to that electronic data message or electronic document; or

(b) by an information system programmed by, or on behalf of the originator to operate automatically.

(a) in order to ascertain whether the electronic data message orelectronic document was that of the originator, the addressee properlyapplied a procedure previously agreed to by the originator for thatpurpose; or

(b) the electronic data message or electronic document as received by the addressee resulted from the actions of a person whose relationship with the originator or with any agent of the originator enabled that person to gain access to a method used by the originator to identify electronic  data messages as his own.

(a) as of the time when the addressee has both received notice from the  originator that the electronic data message or electronic document is not that of the originator, and has reasonable time to act accordingly; or

(b) in a case within paragraph (3) sub-paragraph (b), at any time whenthe addressee knew or should have known, had it exercised reasonable care or used any agreed procedure, that the electronic data message or electronic document was not that of the originator.

(6) The addressee is entitled to regard each electronic data message or electronic document received as a separate electronic data message or electronic document and to act on that assumption, except to the extent that it duplicates another electronic data message or electronic documentand the addressee knew or should have known, had it exercised reasonable care or used any agreed procedure, that the electronic data message or electronic document was a duplicate.

SEC. 19. Error on Electronic Data Message or Electronic Document. - The addressee is entitled to regard the electronic data message or electronic document received as that which the originator
intended to send, and to act on that assumption, unless the addressee knew or should have known, had the addressee exercised reasonable care or used the appropriate procedure -

(a) That the transmission resulted in any error therein or in the electronicdocument when the electronic data message or electronic documententers the designated information system, or

(b) That electronic data message or electronic document is sent to an information system which is not so designated by the addressee for thepurpose.

a) Where the originator has not agreed with the addressee that theacknowledgment be given in a particular form or by a particular method,an acknowledgment may be given by or through any communication bythe addressee, automated or otherwise, or any conduct of the addressee,sufficient to indicate to the originator that the electronic data message orelectronic document has been received.

(b) Where the originator has stated that the effect or significance of theelectronic data message or electronic document is conditional on receiptof the acknowledgment thereof, the electronic data message or electronic document is treated as though it has never been sent, until the acknowledgment is received.

(c) Where the originator has not stated that the effect or significance ofthe electronic data message or electronic document is conditional onreceipt of the acknowledgment, and the acknowledgment has not been  received by the originator within the time specified or agreed or, if notime has been specified or agreed, within a reasonable time, the originator may give notice to the addressee stating that no acknowledgment hasbeen received and specifying a reasonable time by which the acknowledgment must be received; and if the acknowledgment is not received within the time specified in subparagraph (c), the originator may,upon notice to the addressee, treat the electronic document or electronicdata message as though it had never been sent, or exercise any other rights it may have.

SEC. 22. Time of Receipt of Electronic Data Messages or Electronic Documents. - Unless otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, the time of receipt of an electronic data message or electronic document is as follows:

(a) If the addressee has designated an information system for thepurpose of receiving electronic data message or electronic document,receipt occurs at the time when the electronic data message or electronicdocument enters the designated information system: Provided, however,that if the originator and the addressee are both participants in thedesignated information system, receipt occurs at the time when theelectronic data message or electronic document is retrieved by theaddressee.

(b) If the electronic data message or electronic document is sent to aninformation system of the addressee that is not the designated information  system, receipt occurs at the time when the electronic data message orelectronic document is retrieved by the addressee;

(c) If the addressee has not designated an information system, receiptoccurs when the electronic data message or electronic document entersan information system of the addressee.

SEC. 23. Place of Dispatch and Receipt of Electronic Data Messages or Electronic Documents. - Unless otherwise agreed between the originator and the addressee, an electronic data message or electronic document is deemed to be dispatched at the place where the originator has its place of business and received at the place where the addressee has its place of business. This rule shall apply even if the originator or addressee had used a laptop or other portable device to transmit or receive his electronic data message or electronic document. This rule shall also apply to determine the tax situs of such transaction.

For the purpose hereof -

a. If the originator or the addressee has more than one place of business,the place of business is that which has the closest relationship to the  underlying transaction or, where there is no underlying transaction, theprincipal place of business.

b. If the originator of the addressee does not have a place of business,  reference is to be made to its habitual residence; or

c. The “usual place of residence” in relation to a body corporate, means  the place where it is incorporated or otherwise legally constituted.

SEC. 25. Actions Related to Contracts of Carriage of Goods. - Without derogating from the provisions of part two of this law, this chapter applies to any action in connection with, or in pursuance of, a contract of carriage of goods, including but not limited to:

(a) (i) furnishing the marks, number, quantity or weight of goods;

(ii) stating or declaring the nature or value of goods;

(iii) issuing a receipt for goods;

(iv) confirming that goods have been loaded;

(b) (i) notifying a person of terms and conditions of the contract;

(ii) giving instructions to a carrier; chanrobles law firm

(c) (i) claiming delivery of goods;

(ii) authorizing release of goods;

(iii) giving notice of loss of, or damage to, goods;

(d) giving any other notice or statement in connection with the
performance of the contract;

(e) undertaking to deliver goods to a named person or a person

(f) granting, acquiring, renouncing, surrendering, transferring or
negotiating rights in goods;

(g) acquiring or transferring rights and obligations under the contract. chanrobles law firm

(2) Paragraph (1) applies whether the requirement therein is in the form of an obligation or whether the law simply provides consequences for failing either to carry out the action in writing or to use a paper document.

(3) If a right is to be granted to, or an obligation is to be acquired by, one person and no other person, and if the law requires that, in order to effect this, the right or obligation must be conveyed to that person by the transfer, or use of, a paper document, that requirement is met if the right or obligation is conveyed by using one or more electronic data messages or electronic documents unique;

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the standard of reliability required shall be assessed in the light of the purpose for which the right or obligation was conveyed and in the light of all the circumstances, including any relevant agreement.

(5) Where one or more data messages are used to effect any action in subparagraphs (f) and (g) of Section 25, no paper document used to effect any such action is valid unless the use of electronic data message orelectronic document has been terminated and replaced by the use of paper documents. A paper document issued in these circumstances shall contain a statement of such termination. The replacement of electronic data messages or electronic documents by paper documents shall not affect the rights or obligations of the parties involved. chanrobles law firm

(6) If a rule of law is compulsorily applicable to a contract of carriage of goods which is in, or is evidenced by, a paper document, that rule shall not be inapplicable to such a contract of carriage of goods which is evidenced by one or more electronic data messages or electronic documents by reason of the fact that the contract is evidenced by such electronic data messages or electronic documents instead of by a paper document.chanrobles law firm
 
 

SEC. 27. Government Use of Electronic Data Messages, Electronic Documents and Electronic Signatures. - Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, within two (2) years from thedate of the effectivity of this Act, all departments, bureaus, offices and agencies of the government, as well as all government-owned and-controlled corporations, that pursuant to law require or accept the filing of documents, require that documents be created, or retained and/or submitted, issue permits, licenses or certificates of registration or approval, or provide for the method and manner of payment or settlement of fees and other obligations to the government, shall -

(a) accept the creation, filing or retention of such documents in the formof electronic data messages or electronic documents;

(b) issue permits, licenses, or approval in the form of electronic data messages or electronic documents;

(c) require and/or accept payments, and issue receipts acknowledging  such payments, through systems using electronic data messages orelectronic documents; or

(d) transact the government business and/or perform governmental functions using electronic data messages or electronic documents, and forthe purpose, are authorized to adopt and promulgate, after appropriatepublic hearing and with due publication in newspapers of general circulation, the appropriate rules, regulations, or guidelines, to, among others, specify -
 

(1) the manner and format in which such electronic data messages orelectronic documents shall be filed, created, retained or issued;chanrobles law firm

(2) where and when such electronic data messages or electronic documents have to be signed, the use of a electronic signature, the typeof electronic signature required;

(3) the format of an electronic data message or electronic document and the manner the electronic signature shall be affixed to the electronic data  message or electronic document;

(4) the control processes and procedures as appropriate to ensure  adequate integrity, security and confidentiality of electronic datamessages or electronic documents or records or payments;

(5) other attributes required of electronic data messages or electronic documents or payments; and

(6) the full or limited use of the documents and papers for compliance with the government requirements: Provided, That this Act shall by itself  mandate any department of the government, organ of state or statutory corporation to accept or issue any document in the form of electronicdata messages or electronic documents upon the adoption, promulgation  and publication of the appropriate rules, regulations, or guidelines.

The RPWEB network shall serve as initial platform of the government information infrastructure (GII) to facilitate the electronic online transmission and conveyance of government services to evolve and improve by better technologies or kinds of electronic online wide area networks utilizing, but not limited to, fiber optic, satellite, wireless and other broadband telecommunication mediums or modes. To facilitate the rapid development of the GII, the Department of Transportation and Communications, National Telecommunications Commission and the National Computer Center are hereby directed to aggressively promote and implement a policy environment and regulatory or non-regulatory framework that shall lead to the substantial reduction of costs of including, but not limited to, lease lines, land, satellite and dial-up
telephone access, cheap broadband and wireless accessibility by government departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, government owned and controlled corporations, local government units, other public instrumentalities and the general public, to include the establishment of agovernment website portal and a domestic internet exchange system to facilitate strategic access to government and amongst agencies thereof and the general public and for the speedier flow of locally generated internet traffic within the Philippines.

The physical infrastructure of cable and wireless systems for cable TV and broadcast excluding programming and content and the management thereof shall be considered as within the activity of telecommunications for the purpose of electronic commerce and to maximize the convergence
of ICT in the installation of the GII.

SEC. 29. Authority of the Department of Trade and Industry and Participating Entities. - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall direct and supervise the promotion and development of electronic commerce in the country with relevant government agencies, without
prejudice to the provisions of Republic Act. 7653 (Charter of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) and Republic Act No. 337 (General Banking Act), as amended.

Among others, the DTI is empowered to promulgate rules and regulations, as well as provide quality standards or issue certifications, as the case may be, and perform such other functions as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act in the area of electronic commerce to
include, but shall not be limited to, the installation of an online public information and quality and price monitoring system for goods and services aimed in protecting the interests of the consuming public availingof the advantages of this Act.
 
 

SEC. 30. Extent of Liability of a Service Provider. – Except as otherwise provided in this Section, no person or party shall be subject to any civil or criminal liability in respect of the electronic data message or electronic document for which the person or party acting as a service
provider as defined in Section 5 merely provides access if such liability is founded on -

(a) The obligations and liabilities of the parties under the electronic data message or electronic document;

(b) The making, publication, dissemination or distribution of such materialor any statement made in such material, including possible infringement ofany right subsisting in or in relation to such material: Provided, That:
 

i. The service provider does not have actual knowledge, or is not awareof the facts or circumstances from which it is apparent, that the making,publication, dissemination or distribution of such material is unlawful orinfringes any rights subsisting in or in relation to such material;

ii. The service provider does not knowingly receive a financial benefitdirectly attributable to the unlawful or infringing activity; and

iii. The service provider does not directly commit any infringement or other unlawful act and does not induce or cause another person or partyto commit any infringement or other unlawful act and/or does not benefit financially from the infringing activity or unlawful act of another person orparty: Provided, further, That nothing in this Section shall affect -
 

a) Any obligation founded on contract;

b) The obligation of a service provider as such under a licensing or other regulatory regime established under written law; or

c) Any obligation imposed under any written law;

d) The civil liability of any party to the extent that such liability forms thebasis for injunctive relief issued by a court under any law requiring thatthe service provider take or refrain from actions necessary to remove, block or deny access to any material, or to preserve evidence of aviolation of law.

SEC. 32. Obligation of Confidentiality. - Except for the purposes authorized under this Act, any person who obtained access to any electronic key, electronic data message, or electronic document, book, register, correspondence, information, or other material pursuant to any
powers conferred under this Act, shall not convey to or share the same with any other person.

SEC. 33. Penalties. - The following Acts shall be penalized by fine and/or imprisonment, as follows:

(a) Hacking or cracking which refers to unauthorized access into orinterference in a computer system/server or information andcommunication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of thecomputer or information and communications system, including theintroduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting in the corruption,destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages orelectronic document shall be punished by a minimum fine of one hundredthousand pesos (P100,000.00) and a maximum commensurate to thedamage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six (6) months tothree (3) years;

(b) Piracy or the unauthorized copying, reproduction, dissemination,distribution, importation, use, removal, alteration, substitution, modification, storage, uploading, downloading, communication, making  available to the public, or broadcasting of protected material, electronicsignature or copyrighted works including legally protected sound recordings or phonograms or information material on protected works,through the use of telecommunication networks, such as, but not limitedto, the internet, in a manner that infringes intellectual property rights shallbe punished by a minimum fine of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and a maximum commensurate to the damage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six (6) months to three (3) years;

(c) Violations of the Consumer Act or Republic Act No. 7394 and other relevant or pertinent laws through transactions covered by or usingelectronic data messages or electronic documents, shall be penalized withthe same penalties as provided in those laws;

(d) Other violations of the provisions of this Act, shall be penalized with a maximum penalty of onemillion pesos (P1,000,000.00) or six (6) years imprisonment. chanrobles law firm

Failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any manner affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 35. Oversight Committee. – There shall be a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of the Committees on Trade and Industry/Commerce, Science and Technology, Finance and
Appropriations of both the Senate and House of Representatives, which shall meet at least every quarter of the first two years and every semester for the third year after the approval of this Act to oversee its implementation. The DTI, DBM, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and other
government agencies as may be determined by the Congressional Committee shall provide a quarterly performance report of their actions taken in the implementation of this Act for the first three (3) years.

SEC. 36. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of Secs. 27 and 28 of this Act shall be charged against any available funds and/or savings under the General Appropriations Act of 2000 in the first year of effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the funds
needed for the continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 37. Statutory Interpretation. - Unless otherwise expressly provided for, the interpretation of this Act shall give due regard to its international origin and the need to promote uniformity in its applicationand the observance of good faith in international trade relations. The generally accepted principles of international law and convention on electronic commerce shall likewise be considered.

SEC. 38. Variation by Agreement. - As between parties involved in generating, sending, receiving, storing or otherwise processing electronic data message or electronic document, any provision of this Act may be varied by agreement between and among them.

SEC. 39. Reciprocity. - All benefits, privileges, advantages or statutory rules established under this Act, including those involving practice of profession, shall be enjoyed only by parties whose country of origin grants the same benefits and privileges or advantages to Filipino citizens.

Sec. 40. Separability Clause. - The provisions of this Act are hereby declared separable and in the event of any such provision is declared unconstitutional, the other provisions, which are not affected, shall remainin force and effect.

Sec. 41. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

    (Sgd.)   PRESIDENT JOSEPH E. ESTRADA