NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 99
si tlic fern-tiat}*
•22 JUL-7 P2:29
Rl:CEiVhDEv:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
ERADICATING MOBILE PHONE, INTERNET OR ELECTRONIC 
COMMUNICATION-AIDED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, MANDATING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE OWNERSHIP REGISTRATION OF ALL SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY 
MODULE (SIM) CARDS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND SOCIAL MEDIA 
ACCOUNTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Modern technological breakthroughs have allowed us to harness mobile 
phones and social media to make our lives easier. However, just as these types of 
technology advance and become creative in their functions, so do criminals and 
malefactors who use them to perpetrate crimes and take advantage of unsuspecting 
Filipinos.
For years, these criminals have taken advantage of our lax system to freely 
carry out their despicable schemes and evade the long arm of the law. According to 
the 2019 National ICT Household Survey ng Department of Information and 
Communications Technology, out of 32,915 respondents all over the country, 6,840 
individuals have been victimized by text scams by unregistered mobile numbers.
Unregistered SIM cards and social media accounts can also be used to 
facilitate other and more heinous crimes such as terrorism, cyber bank heists; the 
proliferation of unsolicited, indecent or obscene messages; and the dissemination of 
a massive disinformation campaign which could cause chaos and disorder among the


public. That these crimes are flourishing under the current system only proves that 
the system is flawed and needs to be changed.
We are not alone in wanting this kind of policy. Globally, the trend skews 
heavily in favor of SIM card registration. A total of 155 countries in the world have 
adopted laws that require the mandatory registration of SIM cards - including 
nations with the highest regard for data privacy rights such as Japan, South Korea, 
Australia, and most countries in the European Union.
The privacy of consumers shall continue to be given the highest regard. The 
measure makes clear that any doubt in the interpretation of any of its provisions and 
its implementing rules and regulations shall be construed In a manner that accords 
the highest respect for privacy, and liberally interpreted in a manner mindful of the 
rights and interests of SIM card subscribers.
I file this bill in hopes that we would be able to eradicate mobile phone, 
internet or electronic communication-aided criminal activities. This has been a long 
time coming but I hope that the passage of this bill will result in a safer and more 
secured mobile-use and cyberspace here in our country.
Immediate approval of this measure Is eagerly sought.
GRACE PO


NINEEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 99
&ii
of the
•22 JUL-7 P2 29
RECEIVED Bt
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
ERADICATING MOBILE PHONE, INTERNET OR ELECTRONIC 
COMMUNICATION-AIDED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, MANDATING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE OWNERSHIP REGISTRATION OF ALL SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY 
MODULE (SIM) CARDS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND SOCIAL MEDIA 
ACCOUNTS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Subscriber Identity
2 
Module (SIM) Card Registration Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of
4 
information and communications technology in nation building and encourages its
5 
growth and development.
6 
It is equally cognizant that beneficial as modern technology is, Its illegal or
7 
malicious use endangers people's lives, damages property, poses hazards to public
8 
order, and even threatens the security of nations.
9 
Towards this end, the State shall require the registration of SIM cards for
10 
electronic devices and social media accounts by all users.
11 
Thus, there is a need to promote accountability in the use of Subscriber
12 
Identity Module (SIM) card and social media, and provide law enforcement agencies
13 
the tools to resolve crimes which involve its utilization and the platform to deter the
14 
commission of wrongdoings.
15 
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
16 
a. End user- shall refer to any individual or subscriber, natural or juridical, who
17 
directly purchases a SIM card from a direct seller;


1 
b. Public Telecommunications Entity or PTE - shall refer to any person, firm,
2 
partnership or corporation, government or private, engaged in the provision
3 
of telecommunications services to the public for compensation, as defined
4 
under Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of
5 
the Philippines;
6 
c. SIM (Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module) Card -
7 
shall refer to an integrated circuit chip that is intended to securely store the
8 
international mobile subscriber identity or IMSI number and its related key or
9 
an electronic equivalent thereof, which are used to identify and authenticate
10 
subscribers on mobile telephony devices;
11 
d. Spoofing - shall refer to the act of transmitting misleading or inaccurate
12 
Information about the source of the phone call or text message, with the
13 
intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value; and
14 
e. Third-party reseller - shall refer to agents, dealers, or anyone who sells SIM
15 
cards other than the PTEs themselves.
16 
Sec. 4. SIM Card and Social Media Accounts Registration. - In order to deter the
17 
proliferation of SIM card, internet or electronic communication-aided crimes, such
18 
as, but not limited to: terrorism, text scams, unsolicited, indecent or obscene
19 
messages, bank fraud, libel, anonymous online defamation, trolling, hate speech,
20 
spread of digital disinformation or fake news as defined under pertinent laws, all
21 
PTEs shall require the registration of SIM cards as pre-requisite to the sale and
22 
activation thereof, in accordance with the guidelines set forth under this Act.
23 
Similarly, all social media account providers shall require real-name and phone
24 
number upon creation of account.
25 
All existing SIM card subscribers with active services shall register with their
26 
respective PTEs within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effectivity of this
27 
Act. An extension period of no longer than one hundred twenty (120) days shall be
28 
allowed upon a valid written request to the Department of Information and
29 
Communications Technology (DICT).
30 
Failure to register within the prescribed period shall authorize the PTEs to
31 
automatically deactivate or retire the SIM card number and registration.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Sec. 5. Sate and Registration Guideiines. -The National Telecommunications 
Commission (NTC), in close consultation with the PTEs, social media providers, the 
concerned agencies of government including, but not limited to, the Department of 
Trade and Industry (DTI), DICT, National Privacy Commission (NPC) and in 
consultation with major consumer groups, shall formulate the necessary guidelines 
in the proper implementation of the real-name registration program through a SIM 
card registration process based on the following parameters:
a. Submission of duly accomplished control-numbered owner's registration form 
with full name, date of birth, and address. The registration form shall include 
an attestation by the SIM card buyer that the person personally appearing 
before the direct seller and the identification documents presented are true 
and correct, and that said person is the one who has accomplished and 
signed the registration form;
b. Presentation of valid government-issued identification cards or other similar 
forms of documents that will verify the identity of the SIM card buyer, or a 
valid passport In the case of aliens;
A buyer who fails to comply with the requirements for registration shall be 
refused the sale of a SIM card by the seller;
The sale of a SIM card to a minor shall not be prohibited: Provided, That said 
minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the time of its 
purchase and registration;
The sale of SIM cards to foreign nationals shall be allowed provided that: 
i. Those visiting as tourists for not more than thirty (30) days shall 
register their full name, passport number, and address in the SIM card 
registration form and present their passport and proof of address In 
the Philippines; and
Those staying for more than thirty (30) days either as workers or 
students shall register their full name, passport number, and address In 
the SIM card registration form and present their passport, proof of 
address in the Philippines, Alien Certificate of Registration Identification 
Card or ACRI-Card Issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Alien 
Employment Permit issued by the Department of Labor and
c.
II.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Employment (DOLE) or school registration and ID, whichever is 
applicable.
Sec. 6. Sim Card Register. - The registration form required under this Act 
shall be accomplished electronically and shall be forwarded and kept by the 
concerned PTE to a centralized database. The database shall strictly serve as a SIM 
card register to be used by PTEs to process, activate or deactivate subscription and 
shall not be used for any other purpose. The successful submission of the required 
registration form shall serve as the certification of legitimate purchase by the SIM 
card buyer and the duly-appointed agents of the PTE or third-party reseller, as the 
case may be.
The registration required under this Act shall be implemented at no cost to 
the end users or the third-party resellers.
In the recordkeeping of information, PTEs shall ensure that the end users' 
data are secure and protected at all times. The PTEs shall comply with the minimum 
Information security standards prescribed by the DICT consistent with Internationally 
accepted cybersecurity standards and relevant laws, rules and regulations.
The DICT shall establish and perform an annual audit on PTEs' compliance 
with information security standards.
In case of loss or any change in the information after the registration of the 
SIM card, the subscriber must update said registration In the database through the 
PTE's facility within seven (7) days from such loss or change.
In case of a cyber-attack on the register, the incident shall be reported to the 
DICT within twenty-four (24) hours of detection.
Sec. 7. Submission of Verified List of Third-Party Reseiiers. - The PTEs shall 
submit to the NTC, within thirty (30) days from the date of effectivity of this Act, a 
verified list of all their current authorized third-party resellers. Thereafter, the PTEs 
shall submit to the NTC, every quarter of each year, an updated list of the same.
Sec. 8. Liabiiities of Third-Party Reseiiers. - Any third-party reseller that will 
engage in the sale of fraudulently-registered or stolen SIM cards shall be held 
criminally liable under this Act.
Sec. 9. Confidentiaiity Ciause. - Any information obtained in the registration 
process described under this Act cannot be disclosed to any person.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
II.
Hi.
iv.
Notwithstanding this provision, disclosure shall be made: 
i. In compliance with any law obligating the PTE or social media provider 
to disclose such information in accordance with the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012;
In compliance with a court order, legal process, or other government, 
regulatory, or enforceable administrative request for information;
In compliance with Section 10 hereof; or
With the written consent of the subscriber; Provided that, the waiver of 
absolute confidentiality shall not be made as a condition for the 
approval of subscription agreements with the mobile phone service 
providers.
Sec. 10. Disclosure of Information. - Notwithstanding the provisions on 
confidentiality, the PTEs and social media providers, upon order of a competent 
authority duly authorized under existing laws to issue subpoena, shall be required to 
provide information obtained in the registration process pursuant to an Investigation 
of a complainant's verified sworn complaint that a specific mobile number or social 
media account was or is being used In the commission of a crime or that it was 
utilized as a means to commit a malicious, fraudulent or unlawful act including libel, 
anonymous online defamation, hate speech, trolling, or spread of digital 
disinformation, or fake news; and that he or she is unable to ascertain the identity of 
the perpetrator.
Provided, however, that no PTE or social media provider shall be held 
administratively, civilly, or criminally liable on account of any disclosure done in 
compliance with this Act.
For this purpose, the relevant data and information shall be kept by the PTEs 
or social media providers for ten (10) years from the time the end-user deactivates 
his or her mobile number or social media account.
Sec. 11. Penalties. - The following penalties shall be imposed for violation of 
any provision of this Act:
a. For failure to comply with the registration requirement -The NTC is hereby
authorized to impose a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) on any third-


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
party reseller who shall fail to comply with the registration requirement under 
this Act.
If the offense is committed by a PTE, the following penalties shall be 
imposed:
1) First offense: a fine not exceeding Three hundred thousand pesos 
(P300,000.00);
2) Second offense: a fine not exceeding Five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00); and
3) Third and subsequent offenses: a fine not exceeding One million pesos 
(PI,000,000.00) for every offense;
b. For breach of confidentiality. - A fine of Two hundred thousand pesos 
(P200,000.00) shall be Imposed upon the third-party reseller who shall 
directly reveal or disclose any information of a subscriber obtained during the 
registration requirement under this Act, unless otherwise permitted by this 
Act, or other laws.
If the offense is committed by a PTE or a social media provider, the 
following penalties shall be imposed:
1) First offense: a fine not exceeding Three hundred thousand pesos 
(P300,000.00);
2) Second offense: a fine not exceeding Five hundred thousand pesos 
(P500,000.00); and
3) Third and subsequent offenses: a fine not exceeding One million pesos 
(P1,000,000.00) for every offense;
The same penalty shall be imposed upon the PTE or social media 
provider or any of its agents or employees or third-party resellers who, 
despite the written order Issued by a competent court, or subpoena issued by 
competent authority shall refuse the law enforcement agency and/or officer 
access to the information specified in said written order.
For using fictitious identities to register SIM cards or social media accounts. - 
The penalty of imprisonment of no less than six (6) years, or a fine of up to 
Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), or both, shall be Imposed upon
c.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
anyone who uses a fictitious identity to purchase and register a SIM cards or 
social media account.
d. For spoofing registered SIM cards. - The penalty of imprisonment of no less 
than six (6) years, or a fine of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), 
or both, shall be Imposed upon anyone who causes to transmit misleading or 
inaccurate information about the source of the phone call or text message, 
with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of 
value, unless such transmission is exempted in connection with: (1) 
authorized activities of law enforcement agencies; or (2) a court order 
specifically authorizing the use of caller ID manipulation.
e. Unauthorized saie of registered SIM cards. - The penalty of imprisonment no 
less than six (6) years, or a fine of Two hundred thousand pesos 
(P200,000.00), or both, shall be imposed upon third-party resellers or anyone 
who sells or offers for sale a registered SIM card without being authorized to 
do so.
Any person who willfully attempts to commit or abets or aids in the 
commission of any of the offenses enumerated In this Act shall be held liable.
A prosecution under this Act shall be without prejudice to any liability for 
violation of any provision of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, or special laws.
Sec. 12. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations and Reportoriai Requirement - 
The NTC, in close coordination with the DICT, DTI, NPC and major consumer 
groups, shall set the guidelines for the monitoring and proper implementation of 
this Act and shall Issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within 
sixty (60) days upon the effectivity of this Act.
All PTEs are required to submit to the NTC, DICT, and to both Houses of 
Congress an annual report on the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 13. Interpretation. - Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of 
this Act and its implementing rules and regulations shall be construed in a manner 
that accords the highest respect for privacy, and liberally interpreted in a manner 
mindful of the rights and interests of SIM card subscribers and social media account 
owners.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
Sec. 14. Transitory Provision. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, all PTEs are 
mandated to recall all prepaid SIM cards for sale to the public by those 
establishments not authorized by it. Otherwise, they shall be liable for the penalties 
prescribed In this Act.
PTEs, third-party resellers and social media providers affected by the 
Implementation of this Act shall be given a one (1) year transitory period from the 
effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations to comply with its 
requirements.
Sec. 15. Repeaiing Ciause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, and issuances, or parts thereof which are 
Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly.
Sec. 16 Separabiiity Ciause. - Should any part of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional or Invalid, the other provisions hereof that are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be In full force and effect.
Sec. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication In the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,