SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIIlPINES 
.) 
First Regular Session 
. ) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 590 
'13 
JUL -.~ P 1 :1 3 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Portable telecommunication devices have become indispensable tools in modem life. 
However, reports from law enforcement agencies reveal a high incidence of thievery of these 
devices, brought on by high demand for said devices and the ease with which the thieves are able 
to sell these stolen items. 
As such, there is an urgent need to protect our people from targeted theft of these 
telecommunication devices. 
. 
This bill proposes to punish the malefactor by imposing heavier penalties. The approval 
of this bill is earnestly requested. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. _.....:5::...,;9=--0"-
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THE CRIME OF THEFT AND ROBBERY 
, OF PORTABLE C.OMMUNICATION DEVICES AND PORTABLE COMrUTERS , 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House ?f Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Theft and'Robbery of 
Portable Telecommunication Devices and Portable Computers Act". 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms: 
(a) "Portable telecommunication device" shall refe~ to a device utilized to transmit, emit or 
receive voice, data, electronic messages, text, written or printed matter, fixed or moving 
pictures or images, words, music or visible or audible signals or sounds, or any 
information, intelJigence and/or control signals of any design/format and for the purpose 
of accessing 
public 
telecommunication 
services 
by 
wire, 
radio, 
spectral, 
visual/optical/light, 'or other electronic, electromagnetic and technological means 
including but not limited to cellular cellphones, two-way very high frequency (VHJ:1) or 
ultra high frequency (UHJ:1) radios. 
(b) "Portable Computer" shall refer to a variety of electronic devices that is capable of 
accepting data, programs and/or instructions, executing the programs and/or instructions 
to process the data and presenting the results, such as but not limited to laptops, 
notebooks. 
SEC. 3. Penal Provision. Any person convicted of the crime of tb.eft and robbery as 
defined under Chapters One (1) and Three (3) of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code of a 
portable, communication device or portable computer shall be punished by the penalty next 
higher in degree than those respectively specified in the aforementioned articles; Provided, that 
the additional penalty specified herein shall no longer be made applicable if the imposable 
penalty is in its maximum period. 
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other 
issuances or parts thereof iJ;lconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. If any portion ofthis Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
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remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
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completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in· a newspaper of general 
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circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved, 
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