EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
S.B. No. 388
*19 JULll P3 53
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AN ACT
REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION OF SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE 
(SIM) CARDS IN MOBILE PHONES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Upon entering the Digital Age, mobile phones have been one of the leading sources of 
communication in the Philippines due to its efficiency and convenience. Sim cards are being 
used as a digital footprint for each user.
Unfoitunatcly, crimes have developed parallel to tire improvement of teclmology. 
Modern-day criminals have been using mobile phones as a means to commit unlawful 
activities due to the untraceable features of owning a sim card. Through the years, there have 
been instances of budol-budol and other types of scams.
Without any confirmation to determine the identity of a sim card holder, our 
constituents may be at risk.
The proposed bill seeks to establish a system wherein users are required to register 
their sim cards and confirm their identity to prevent crimes that may occur.
In view of this foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
. PACQUIAO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E
s.B.No. 3 8 8
'19 JULll P3 53
RECEIVED E l _ _ _
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INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION OE SI BSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE (SIM)
CARDS IN MOBILE PHONES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the SIM Card Registration.
SEC. 2. Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to regulate the ownership and use of SIM cards 
for legitimate purposes only to maintain peace and order, promote the general welfare, and 
protect the public.
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SEC. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act,
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(1) "SIM Card" refers to the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card in a mobile phone;
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(2) "Mobile Phone Company" refers to any mobile telecommunication service provider,
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including but not limited to Globe and Smart PLOT;
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(3) "NTC" refers to the National Telecommunications Commission.
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SEC. 4. SIM Card Registration. Every mobile phone company shall be required to register its
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subscribers, both prepaid and postpaid, and maintain a directory thereof, indicating therein
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the SIM Card serial number, mobile phone number, name, and address of the subscriber.
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Any change in the information required in the SIM Card Registration must be registered with
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the mobile phone company within fifteen (15) days from the occurrence of such change.
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SEC. 5. Data Privacy and Confidentiality. - Personal information in SIM Card Registration
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shall be treated as private and confidential, unless otherwise specified by the subscriber. It shall
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not be inquired or looked into, except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the
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judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses, if any.


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SEC. 6. Sale of SIM Cards. - Every seller shall require his or her buyer of a SIM Card to present
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valid identification with picture to ascertain the identity of the buyer. The seller shall further
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require the buyer to accomplish a registration form issued by the mobile phone company of the
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SIM Card being purchased.
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For this purpose, mobile phone companies shall issue SIM Card registration forms. The seller
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shall then promptly submit the accomplished registration form to the concerned mobile phone
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company not later than fifteen (15) days from the date of sale. Data privacy and confidentiality
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in the SIM Card registration in Section 5 shall start to apply at the point of sale.
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A buyer who does not produce valid identification with picture and accomplishes a SIM Card
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registration form shall, in accordance with the preceding paragraph, be refused the sale of a
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SIM Card by the seller.
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NTC shall issue rules and regulations to 
implement tlie provisions of tliis Act witliin sixty (60) days from tlie effectivity of this Act.
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SEC. 8. Penal Clause. - Any violation of the provisions of this Act shall be punished with a
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fine ranging from five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00).
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SEC. 9. Transitory Provision. - All existing subscribers who have no SIM Card registration 
yet are required to register their SIM Cards with their respective mobile phone companies 
within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act.
Failure to register within the prescribed period shall result in the deactivation of the SIM Card. 
The deactivated SIM Card may only be reactivated after registration in accordance with this 
Act.
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other issuances 
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain 
in force and effect.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion of 
its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
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Approved,