Bautista vetoes bill on dashcams for police cars

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has vetoed an ordinance that requires the installation of dashboard cameras in police cars.

In a veto letter dated Nov. 4, he said the proposed ordinance failed to “prescribe the minimum standards or specifications for the procurement or installation” of the dashcams.

He added that the ordinance also violated the rule that all funding requirements should pass through the budget process before it is included in an appropriation ordinance.

The ordinance had originally called for appropriations for its implementation to be taken “from any available funds of the city, otherwise unappropriated, or from grants and subsidy account of the Office of the Mayor.”

It also authorized the mayor to enter into “a negotiation with reputable dealers of vehicle dash board camera,” which Bautista said could only be done in accordance with the Government Procurement Act that mandates open and public bidding.  

The approved ordinance also failed to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, he added.

The ordinance, authored by Councilor Gian Sotto, was approved on third reading last month.

Sotto said the installation of dashboard cameras could deter police officers from using excessive force when arresting or interrogating suspects.