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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
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(@ff.; •• r I",~.m"'~v 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
AUG-l 
P4:43 
SENATE 
S. No. 
1200 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The use of taximeter accelerating devices, as a means .of overcharging passengers in. 
taxicabs, is a problem commonly faced by regulatory agencies and the riding public at large. The 
devices found in taxicabs are typically activated by the driver through the use of a small magnet, 
hand-held control, or an electronic device, (such as a radio), installed in the taxicab. The devices 
typically cause additional or false electric pulses to be sent to the taximeter, thereby resulting in 
increased fares being charged to passengers. 
There is no legitimate public purpose for either the possession or use of a meter 
accelerating device. Such devices perpetuate fraud upon taxicab passengers. 
This bill seeks to protect the public from this fraudulent activity.' 
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MIRIAM DEF~"'SOR S~Tlf10 
• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATp, 
S. No. 
1200 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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("t~;r .f 11). >",,11111 
'13 
MIG -1 P4:43 
PUNISHING THE CRIME OF TAMPERING WITH A TAXIMETER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the term: 
(I) 
"Taximeter" means an instrument or device that automatically calculates and 
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displays the charge to a passenger in a vehicle that is licensed to transport members of the public 
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for hire pursuant to law. 
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(2) 
"Taximeter Accelerating Device" means an instrument or device that causes a 
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taximeter to increase the charge displayed by the taximeter to an amount above the maximum 
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permitted by law. 
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SECTION 2. Criminal Act. - A person is guilty of tampering with a taximeter when, with 
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intent to increase the fare displayed by a taximeter to an amount above the maximum amount 
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allowed by law, he or she tampers with such taximeter or attaches or otherwise uses a taximeter 
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accelerating device to cause any signal, impulse or data to be fed into or transmitted to such 
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taximeter. 
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SECTION 3. Penalty - Any violation of section 2 of this Act shall be punishable by 
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imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more than one (1) year. The offender shall 
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also pay a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PoSO,OOO.OO). The offender's franchise or license shall 
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also be revoked. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause. -
If any provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
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shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or . 
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modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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