THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
~~ 
~ 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
~~ 
EXLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 24 provides: 
“The 
State 
recognizes 
the 
vital 
role 
of 
communication and information in nation-building.” 
The arrival of the cellular phone in the early 1980s was a turnl1ig point in 
telecommunications. For the first time, people made and received telephone calls without 
being tied to a specific location. 
Cellular phones have become an essential part of many Filipino’s lives with the 
number of cellular phone users increasing daily. However, cellular phone companies 
have failed to cope with the increasing demand for cellular phone services, and the 
National Telecommunications Commissions has received numerous complaints on poor 
services by these companies. 
Hence, this bill seeks to establish minimum standards regarding the quality of 
wireless telephone service and to monitor complaints regarding such service. 
Considering the urgency to improve the services of cellular phone companies, the 
early passage of this proposed measure is earnestly urged. 
LUISA 6 6 ~ o ~ 9 9  
~EJERCITO E S T ~ D A  
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPSDZS 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS REGARDING THE QUALITY OF 
WIRELESS TELEPHONE SERVICE AND TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS 
REGARDING SUCH SERVICE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and Hoarse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Cell Phone 
Subscriber Protection Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to recognize the 
vital role of communication and information in nation-building. 
SECTION 3 .  Definition. - As used in this Act, the term: 
(1) 
“Public Telecommunications Entity” or “PTE’ means any person, 
firm, partnership or corporation, government or private, engaged in 
the provision of the telecommunications services to the public for 
compensation. 
(2)”Commission” means the National Telecommunications Commission. 
SECTION 4. Establishment of Standards Regarding Quality of Commercial 
Mobile Service and Monitoring of Complaints Regarding Such Service. - 
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(A) 
IN GENERAL - The Commission shall, by regulation, establish 
such requirements as the Commission considers appropriate to 
ensure that Public Telecommunications Entities meet minimum 
standards regarding the quality and performance of such service, 
which shall include standards regarding connection, reception, and 
billing practices. 
(B) 
COMPLAINT SYSTEM - 
ESTABLISHMENT - The Commission shall establish and 
administer a system that makes available a procedure for 
any subscriber of a commercial mobile service to register a 
complaint regarding the quality or performance of the 
service. 
TOLL-FREE NUMBER - Such system shall include 
establishment of a toll-fi-ee number applicable to 
commercial mobile services for reporting a complaint. 
RECORDS - The Commission shall maintain a record of 
each complaint made under the system establish pursuant to 
this Act. 
NOTICE - The Commission shall require each Public 
Telecommunications Entity of commercial mobile service 
to include, in each subscriber’s bill for such service, a 
statement informing the subscriber that a complaint 
regarding the quality or performance of the service may be 
registered with the Commission and providing the toll-free 
number under clause (ii) and an address for mailing a 
complaint. The Commission shall take such other actions 
as may be appropriate to publicize the availability of the 
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complaint system to subscribers of commercial mobile 
services. 
(C) 
REPORTING OF COMPLAINTS TO CONGRESS - Every six 
(6) months, the Commission shall submit a report to the Congress 
regarding complaints received under the complaint system required 
under subparagraph (B), which shall- 
(i) 
Indicate the number of complaints received, during the 
period for which the report is made, regarding the service 
of the Public Telecommunications Entity for which a 
complaint is made; and 
(ii) 
indicate the types of complaints received during such 
period, including complaints regarding dead spots, dropped 
calls, network busy signals, and improper billing practices, 
and the number of each type of complaint received during 
such period. 
Upon submission to the Congress of each report under this subparagraph, 
the Commission shall make such report publicly through publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
(D) 
EFFECT ON CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS - This 
paragraph may not be construed as relieving any Public 
Telecommunications Entities from the obligation to comply with 
any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of 
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation relating to 
consumer protection or unfair trade practices. 
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(E) 
RULES tpND REGULATIONS - The Commission shall prescribe 
such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Repearing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of the Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
GVWviolet slee II/cellphone subscriber protection act 
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