EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
First Regular Session 
}
© f l t t r  S t II)-
i . il'.k
S E N A T E
S.B.No. 
25
'19 JUL-1 A10 50
Introduced by SENATOR LACSON
RECc;
AN ACT
REGULATING THE SALE OF PREPAID SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY 
MODULE (SIM) CARDS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The latest trends in information technology, particularly in the field of 
telecommunications, are greatly felt in our country. 
Almost all Filipinos 
nowadays own and use cellular phones to exchange voice ealls and text messages, 
giving the Philippine the distinction of being the text-messaging capital of the 
world. Not only that -  we use our phones, tablets and other smart mobile devices 
also to connect to the internet and avail of online services. With the use of such 
devices, business transactions as well as ever>'day living have become more 
effective and efficient.
Many owners of such devices prefer to use the pre-paid subscriber identity 
module (SIM) card. Not only is this pre-paid SIM card easily accessible, i.e., it 
can be bought almost everywhere, the owners thereof can likewise easily evade 
detection since prepaid SIM cards are virtually undetectable. 
Due to this, 
unscrupulous individuals almost always take advantage of the same in the pursuit 
of their criminal activities to the detriment not only of a particular interest but that 
of the whole nation.
The proposed bill therefore seeks to address the above-mentioned problem 
being brought about by the proliferation of pre-paid SIM card. It provides for a 
system of regulating the sale and/or disposition of pre-paid SIM eards and also 
puts into place the procedures to be followed if a member of the law enforcement 
agency and/or officer would like to retrieve information concerning the owner of a 
pre-paid SIM card that had been used in a eriminal or illegal activity without 
prejudice to the rights of the registered owner under existing law. With this in 
mind, it is hoped that the proposal will contribute in one way or the other, in 
providing solution to our recurrent peace and order problem.
Every new technology carries with it tremendous responsibility. 
The 
technology should be used for the advancement of the interest of all and not only 
of a chosen few. It therefore becomes our imperative duty as lawmakers to ensure


that the benefits we derive for this technology should be used properly and not 
abused by some segments of our society.
It is for this reason and the advancement of the common good that early 
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
PANE
ACSON


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
g g
Introduced bv SENATOR LACSON
DATE 
tf)  TIME %
BILLS
IN D E X
AN ACT
REGULATING THE SALE OF PREPAID SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY 
MODULE (SIM) CARDS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION 
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Title. - 
This Act shall be known as the '‘‘Prepaid Subscriber 
Identity Module (SIM) Cards Regulations Act of 2019".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of 
communication and information in nation building. 
The introduction of modem 
teleeommunications technology with the view of providing the widest information 
dissemination is greatly eneouraged. 
However, possession of the most modern 
technology comes with tremendous responsibility. A mechanism must be put in plaee 
to ensure its effective use for the good of all while preventing its illegal or malicious 
use to benefit a few. 
Towards this end, the State shall regulate the use and sale of 
prepaid SIM cards for users of cellular phones and other mobile devices only to 
persons who shall comply with the requirements herein set forth.
SECTION 3. Registration Requirement. - All persons desiring to own and/or 
use prepaid SIM cards for cellular phones and other mobile smart devices shall, before 
the actual purchase thereof, prepare and accomplish before any corporation, 
partnership, single proprietorship authorized to deal and/or sell the said produet a 
registration form which shall contain the following information:


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(a) Full name and complete address ot the buyer, which shall be accompanied
by any of the following documents, to wit:
1. A Valid Identification Card with photograph;
2. A Valid Passport;
3. Driver’s License;
4. Social Security System Identification Card;
5. Company Identification Card;
6. Government Service Insurance System Identification Card;
7. Voter's Identification Card;
8. Senior’s Citizen Card;
9. School Identification Card.
(b) The telephone number of the Prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Card that will be issued.
SECTION 4. 
Recording by the Corporation, Partnership, Single 
Proprietorship or Authorized Dealer and the Teleconnnnnications Service Provider.
- The corporation, partnership or single proprietorship authorized to deal and/or sell 
prepaid SIM cards shall keep a record of the names and other data of all persons who 
purchased a prepaid SIM card. A certified copy of the registration and/or information 
sheet prepared by the would-be buyer shall then be transmitted to the 
Telecommunication Service Provider which shall file and keep a record of the same in 
a data base to be created for the purpose.
The copy of the registration and/or information sheet submitted to the 
Telecommunications Service Provider shall be certified to by the President, General 
Manager, Treasurer or any other responsible officer of the corporation or partnership,
or the owner in case of single proprietorship authorized to deal and/or prepaid SIM 
card.
SECTION 5. 
Inquiry into the Teleconnnnnications Service Provider’s 
Database. - If the user of a cellular phone with prepaid SIM card shall use the same in 
the commission of a crime or for any malicious fraudulent or illegal purpose, a court of 
competent jurisdiction may, by written order, authorize the appropriate law 
enforcement authority to look into the records of the owner of the prepaid SIM card 
used in the commission of the above-mentioned acts with the Telecommunications


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Service Provider keeping records of the same: Provided, That, such written order shall 
only be granted upon application in writing of any law enforcement agency and/or 
officer and only upon examination under oath or affirmation of the applicant and the 
witnesses he may produce and upon the court being satisfied that: (1) there is
reasonable ground to believe that the prepaid SIM card has been used in the 
commission of a crime or for a malicious, fraudulent or illegal purpose; (2) that there 
is reasonable ground to believe that the owner of the said prepaid SIM card is probably 
the perpetrators of the same; and (3) there is no other speedy and adequate means 
readily available to obtain such facts and information.
The written order issued by the court for this purpose shall specify: (1) the 
name of the law enforcement agency and/or officer authorized to look into the 
database 
of the 
Telecommunications 
Service 
Provider; 
(2) 
instruct 
the 
Telecommunications Service Provider to firnish the information requested; (3) direct 
the law enforcement agency and/or officer to use the information obtained in 
accordance with the written application; and (4) specify the period of the written order 
which shall not exceed thirty (30) days unless extended or renewed by the court 
issuing the same upon good cause shown.
SECTION 6. 
Telecommunications Service Provider's Report. - 
The 
Telecommunications Service Provider to whom the records of all purchases of prepaid 
SIM card has been forwarded by the corporation, partnership or single proprietorship 
authorized to deal and/or sell the same shall forthwith prepare duplicate copies of its 
record containing the names and other data of all registered owners of prepaid SIM 
cards. 
The duplicate copies of its record shall be furnished the National 
Telecommunications Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
SECTION 7. Pena! Provisions.
(a) 
For Failure to Comply with the Registration Requirement: 
Any
corporation, partnership, single proprietorship or any authorized dealer of prepaid SIM
cards who shall commit a violation of Sec. 3 hereof shall suffer the following 
penalties:
1.
ii.
A fine of twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000.00) for the first offense; 
A fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for the second offense;


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iii. 
A fine of one hundred thousand pesos (PI00,000.00) for the third 
offense and imprisonment from six months and one day to four years. In 
addition, the license or authority of the corporation, partnership, single 
proprietorship or the authorized dealer shall likewise be revoked or 
cancelled; Provided, That, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed 
on the President, General Manager, Treasurer or other responsible officer 
of the corporation or partnership or the owner in case of a single 
proprietorship.
(b) For failure to keep record. - The penalty of imprisonment ranging from 
thirty days and one (1) day to six months or a fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) 
shall be imposed upon the President, General Manager, Treasurer or other responsible 
officer of the corporation or partnership or the owner in case of a single proprietorship 
who shall commit a violation of Sec. 4 hereof
(c) 
Breach of Confidentiality. - The penalty of imprisonment ranging from 
four years and one day to six years or a fine of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) shall 
be imposed upon any employee of the corporation, partnership or single proprietorship 
authorized to deal and/or sell prepaid SIM or the Telecommunications Service 
Provider who shall reveal the name of the registered owner of a prepaid SIM card 
which is not in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 5 hereof
The same penalty 
shall 
be 
imposed 
upon any 
employee of the 
Telecommunications Service Provider who, despite the written order issued by a 
competent court, shall refuse the law enforcement agency and/or officer access to the 
information specified in said written order.
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
from the approval of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ) in coordination with 
the National Telecommunications Commission shall issue the necessaiy rules and 
regulations to implement its provisions.
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision or 
section of this Act shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions
or sections hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
effect.


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SECTION 10. 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) 
newspaper of general circulation.
Adopted,