Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Section 23 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 23. Authority to Obtain Data and Information. - The Bangko Sentral shall have the authority to require from any person or entity, including government offices and instrumentalities, or government-owned or -controlled corporations, any data, for statistical and policy development purposes in relation to the proper discharge of its functions and responsibilities: Provided, That disaggregated data gathered are subject to prevailing confidentiality laws. The Bangko Sentral through the Governor or in his absence, a duly authorized representative shall have the power to issue a subpoena for the production of the books and records for the aforesaid purpose.

Those who refuse the subpoena without justifiable cause, or who refuse to supply the Bangko Sentral with data required, shall be subject to punishment for contempt in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of Court.

"The authority of the Bangko Sentral to require data from banks shall continue to be exercised pursuant to its supervisory powers set forth in this Act and other applicable laws.

"Data on individuals and firms, other than banks, gathered by the Bangko Sentral shall not be made available to any person or entity outside of the Bangko Sentral whether public or private except under order of the court or under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board: Provided, however, That the collective data on firms may be released to interested persons or entities: Provided, finally, That in the case of data on banks, the provisions of Section 27 of this Act shall apply."