'Data Privacy Act cannot be used to hide info on high-profile inmates' deaths due to COVID-19'MANILA, Philippines — The Data Privacy Act cannot be used to refuse to confirm the deaths of high-profile inmates like Jaybee Sebastian, privacy commissioner Raymund Liboro said. The Bureau of Corrections has since confirmed that Sebastian died of COVID-19 and that his remains were cremated according to health protocols for COVID-19 fatalities. In an earlier interview with DZBB, Liboro said that confirming the death of Sebastian and other high-profile inmates is up to the discretion of the controller of information. When reports broke out that nine high-profile inmates, including Sebastian, due to COVID-19, BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag on Sunday cited the Data Privacy Act in declining to confirm the names. Liboro however said that public interest justifies the release of details surrounding the deaths of these inmates.

Source: Philippine Star July 20, 2020 11:15 UTC