FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 347 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In this electronic age, the most popular media of communication that are 
affordable but highly informative that reach the great many regardless of status in life 
are cable television and internet. 
Unfortunately, providers of CATV and internets are threatened by high incidence 
This has become a very serious issue that cable television and internet providers 
Not only has theft or unauthorized interception caused financial damage to 
providers, it had also made the signal poor, thus, depriving the consuming public quality 
service. Thus, the need to declare such acts as unlawful and providing penalties 
therefore. 
of theft through unauthorized interception of CATV programming or internet services. 
face today. 
Cable television and internet must survive and remain competitive to provide 
affordable and fast media and communication services to their subscribers. 
It is the purpose and intent of this measure to protect the industry and promote its 
growth in order to assure high-quality service to the viewing public. 
J 
GOY JERCITOESTRAD 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
first Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. 
No. 347 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT PROHIBITING AND PENALIZING THE UNAUTHORIZED USE, 
SERVICE OF EXJSTING CABLE TELEVISION (CATV) OR CABLE INTERNET 
SYSTEM NETWORK AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFORE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
EXPLOITATION, INTER-CONNECTION WITH, OR RECEPTION OF ANY SIGNAL OR 
Congress Assembled: 
SECTlON I. Short Title - This Act shall be known as "The Anti-Cable Television 
internet theft of Signal Service Act of 2006". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - it is the policy of the State to protect the public 
and legitimate operators of: cable television (CATV) systems that secure and air 
programming through the reception of local and foreign satellite, or other 
electromagnetic signals; as well as cable internet services that provide access to the 
worldwide web through the CATV systemlnetwork. 
SEC. 3. Cable Television (CATV) System /Internet, Defined. - CATV or System 
Internet refers to electronic system, processes and facilities involving the delivery of 
signals and programs by broadcast television stations, local and foreign satellite 
program providers or CATV service operators, through the use of electronic equipment, 
such as digital or analog receiver-decoder box, set-top or converter box, modem, or any 
equivalent device or method that allows access or decoding of unencrypted or 
encrypted satellite program signals or other electromagnetic signals or access into the 
systemlnetwork of the cable Internet service operator, or by the recording, manufacture, 
distribution, importation or sale, of intercepted or received CATV signals and cable 
internet service. 
SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts - The following are prohibited: 
a) Possession of electronic equipment, such as, digital or analog receiver- 
decoder boxes, set-up and converter boxes, modem or any equivalent 
circumvention devices or unencrypted or encrypted cosatellite program or 
other electromagnetic signals, whether local or foreign, or access into the 
systemlnetwork of the cable internet service operator Cable Television 
(CATV) System/lnternet, when not duly licensed, authorized or permitted 
in writing by the licensed CATV or internet operator; 
b) Connection to or tapping on the existing facilities, systems, lines or networks 
of the cable or internet service operation of Cable Television (CATV) 
Systemllnternet operators through wire or electromagnetic means of 
electronic equipment, such as, digital or analog receiver-decoder boxes, 
set-top and converter boxes, modem or any equivalent circumvention 


devices or methods when not duly authorized and/or registered with the 
CATV and/or cable internet service operator: and, 
c) Damaging, destroying or removing any CATV and/or cable internet service 
operators without any prior written authorization from said operators or for 
malice, money or purposely to sabotage or cause their systems disruptions or 
network degradation. 
SEC. 5. Prima Facie Evidence. - presence of any of the following circumstances 
shall constitute prima facie evidence of illegal tapping, interconnection or reception into 
the CATV or cable internet systemlnetwork by the person benefited thereby, and, shall 
be the basis for the immediate disconnection by the CATV or cable internet service 
operator to (a) such person after due notice, (b) the holding of preliminary investigation 
by the public prosecutor and the subsequent filling in court of the pertinent information, 
and (c) the lifting of any temporary restraining order or injunction which may have been 
issued against a CATV or cable internet operator: 
( 1 ) The presence of drop cable, feeder andl or trunk lines from the CATV or 
cable internet system/ network to the structure and facilities of the 
unauthorized person which has been confirmed by the CATV or cable 
internet service operator as not being authorized. 
( 2 ) The unauthorized tapping of drop cable, feeder and/ or trunk lines into the 
CATV or cable systemlnetwork, and or the unauthorized installation of 
electronic equipment such a digital or analog receiver-decoder boxes, set- 
top and converted boxes, or modems, by person not duly authorized by 
the CATV or cable internet service operator. 
( 3 ) The unauthorized possession and use of electronic equipment such as 
digital or analog receiver-decoder boxes, set-top and converter boxes, or 
modem used to intercept CATV signals or access the cable internet 
systemlnetwork and which equipment have not been covered by the 
appropriate licenses and permits from the proper government regulatory 
agency or agencies in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
regulations. 
SEC. 6. Penalties. -Anyone who violates any provision of this Act or commits 
any of the prohibited acts in Section 4 hereof shall be punished by imprisonment of not 
less than three (3) years but not more than five (5) years, or a fine ranging from Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) to One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), or 
both, at the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 7. Civil Indemnify. - Upon conviction, the duly authorized CATV or cable 
internet service operator may recover indemnity from persons convicted under this Act 
in an amount equivalent to one (1) year basic subscription fees presently charged to 
registered subscribers of such CATV or cable internet service operators. 
SEC. 8. 
lnformafion Dissemination. - The National Telecommunications 
Commission and the Cable Television Associations in the Philippines, shall undertake 
an information dissemination campaign to the public of the salient features of this Act, 
within sixty (60) days from its effectivity and at least once a year thereafter. 
SEC. 9. Rules and Regulafions. - The National Telecommunications 
Commission, in consultation with the Cable Association of the Philippines and the 
public, shall issue the implementing ides and regulations to ensure the efficient and 
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act after a public hearing which must 


commence within thirty (30) working days upon the effectivity of this Act and to be 
concluded not later than sixty (60) days thereafter. 
SEC. 70. 
Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed. 
SEC. 71. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved,