SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATZ663 
S.B.No. __ 
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Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
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PENALIZING THE USE OF MOBILE PHONE AND OTHER GADGETS WHILE 
DRIVING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Mobile cellular phone use has increased persistently, It has become an inevitable 
part of people's daily lives, 
However, various reports show that mobile phone use has become a problem on 
the road. Drivers who use their mobile phones, even their gadgets, have a high risk of 
encountering an accident. Using mobile phones and gadgets impairs the concentration 
and focus of drivers while driving. This jeopardizes the safety not only of the driver and 
his passengers, but also other travellers on the road. 
This proposal seeks to impose prohibition and corresponding penalties to drivers 
who are using their mobile phones and gadgets while driving. By this imposition, we 
deter the use of mobile phones and gadgets, and in the same vein, avoid unnecessary 
road mishaps. 
It is in this regard that I am urging my colleagues for the passage of this 
proposal. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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) 
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'15 
FEB 23 
1\11 :40 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
2663 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING THE USE OF MOBILE PHONE AND OTHER GADGETS WHILE 
DRIVING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Mobile and 
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Gadget Use While Driving Act". 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
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to safeguard its citizenry from the ruinous and extremely injurious effects of vehicular 
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accidents. 
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While the State recognizes the vital roles of information and communications 
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technology in nation-building, the State also takes cognizance of the inimical 
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consequences of the unrestrained use of electronic mobile devices on road safety as to 
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cause its regulation. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act: 
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a) Diplomatic motor vehicle - any motor vehicle leased or owned by a foreign 
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mission and its staff for their official use; 
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b) Electronic entertainment and computing device - any handheld electronic 
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device capable of digital information processing, recording, capturing or 
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displaying and computing operations such as, but not limited to, laptop, 
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computers, tablets, video game consoles and calculators; 
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c) Government motor vehicle - any motor vehicle owned by the national 
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government or any of its agencies, 
instrumentalities or political 
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subdivisions, including government-owned or -controlled corporations or 
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their subsidiaries for official use; 
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d) Implementing 
agency -
the 
Department 
of Transportation 
and 
Communications - Land Transportation Office (DOTC-L TO); 
e) Mobile communications devices - electronic communications equipment 
such as, but not limited to, cellular phones, wireless telephones, two-way 
~adio transceivers, pagers and other similar devices capable of 
transmitting, receiving, or both, of encrypted data and/or signals through 
wireless electronic or any other similar means; 
f) Motor vehicle -
engine-driven vehicles such as, but not limited to, 
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automobiles, trucks, vans, buses, jeeps, motorcycles and tricycles; 
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g) Motorist - a person driving a motor vehicle; 
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h) Private motor vehicle -
any motor vehicle owned by individuals and 
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juridical persons for private use; and 
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i) Public motor vehicle - a motor vehicle with a valid franchise issued by the 
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appropriate government agency to operate as a public utility vehicle or any 
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vehicle for hire. 
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SECTION 4. Distracted Driving. - Subject to the qualifications in Sections 5 and 
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6 of this Act, distracted driving shall consist of the performance by a motorist of any of 
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the following acts in a moving motor vehicle or a motor vehicle stopped at a red light, 
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whether diplomatic, public or private, which are deemed unlawful: 
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a) Operating a mobile communications device with one or both hands: and 
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b) Operating an electronic entertainment or computing device with one or 
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both hands. 
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SECTION 5. Extent of Coverage - (a) The operation of a mobile communications 
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device is not considered to be distracted driving if done using the aid of a hands-free 
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function or similar device such as, but not limited to, a speaker phone, earphones and 
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microphones or other similar devices which allow a person to make and receive calls 
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without having to hold the mobile communications device: Provided, That the placement 
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of the mobile communications device or the hands-free device does not interfere with 
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the line of sight of the driver; 
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(b) Wheeled agricultural machineries such as tractors and construction 
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equipment such as graders, rollers, backhoes, payloaders, cranes, bulldozers, mobile 
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concrete mixers and the like, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, 
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pedicabs, "habal-habal", trolleys, "kuligligs", wagons, carriages, carts, sledges, chariots 
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or the like, whether animal or human-powered, are covered by the provisions of this Act 
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as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets 
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or under circumstances where public safety is under consideration. 
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(c) The provisions of this Act shall not apply to motorists of motor vehicles which 
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are not in motion or are pulled over to the side of the road, except those which are 
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stopped momentarily at a red light or in compliance with a traffic regulation. 
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SECTION 6. Exemptions. - The provisions of this Act shall not apply to persons 
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performing emergency or urgent official function where such limitations will result to 
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greater injury or impair the performance thereof: Provided, That the motorist does not 
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have any companion capable of making a call or performing such tasks or functions as 
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the emergency or official mandate requires. 
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SECTION 7. Nationwide Public Information Campaign. - The DOTC-LTO, in 
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coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Education 
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(DepEd), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Philippine National 
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Police (PNP) and private agencies and organizations shall undertake a nationwide 
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information, education and communication (IEC) campaign for a period of six (6) 
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months from the effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Penalties. - Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act 
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shall be penalized with: 
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(a) A fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.00) for the first offense; 
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(b) a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,OOO.OO) for the second offense; 
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(c) a fine of fifteen thousand pesos (P15,OOO.OO) and suspensions of driver's 
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license for three (3) months for the third offense; and 
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(d) a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) and revocation of driver's 
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license: Provided, That the implementing agency may increase the amount of fine 
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herein imposed once every five (5) years in the amount not exceeding ten percent 
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(10%) of the existing rates sought to be increased which shall take effect only upon 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation: Provided further, That a 
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diver of a public utility vehicle, a schools bus, a school service vehicle, a common 
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carrier hauling volatile, flammable or toxic material, or a driver who commits an act 
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classified herein as distracted driving within a fifty (50)-meter radius from the school 
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premises shall be subject to a penalty or Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,OOO.00) and 
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suspension of one's driver's license for three (3) months. 
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The foregoing penalties shall be imposed without prejudice to other liabilities 
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under the Revised Penal Code or any special law, arising out or on occasion of the 
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herein prohibited acts. 
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SECTION 9. Enforcement and Assistance by Other Agencies. -
The Metro 
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Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the PNP and other concerned government 
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agencies and instrumentalities shall be responsible for the enforcement of the foregoing 
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provisions and shall render such assistance as may be required by the DOTC-L TO in 
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order to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOTC-LTO shall 
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promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of 
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this Act is declared invalid, such declaration shall not affect the other provisions of this 
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Act. 
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SECTION 13. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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