The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA) was enacted to protect the fundamental human right of privacy and communication while ensuring the free flow of information. Through the DPA, the state recognizes the important role of information and communication technology in nation-building as well as its responsibility to protect personal information in both public and private information and communications systems.
The DPA defines "personal information" as "any information whether recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information, or when put together with other information would directly and certainly identify an individual". In several opinions, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) discussed the extent of a government office's authority to disclose the personal information of a "data subject" or an individual whose personal information is processed by that office.
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