Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO, 873°
Introduced by: HON. RACHEL MARGUERITE B. DEL MAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The proposed bill seeks to provide higher penalties for the crime of robbery and theft
involving cellular phones and other portable telecommunications devices and by
disqualifying any person convicted under this proposed bill to avail of the plea-bargaining
and the privilege granted by the Probation Law.

‘There is no doubt that the use of cellular phones, personal digital assistants, portable
computers, two-way high frequency (VHF) or ultra high frequency (UHF) radios and other
portable communication equipment utilized to transmit messages, documents, photos,
images, videos, or information through air, radio or satellite frequencies is an indispensable
tool to accelerate our economic development. It is however of common knowledge that
snatching, robbery and theft involving these portable communication gadgets are rampant in
the streets. As a matter of fact, many victims have died as a result of these crimes.

Under the present law, any person accused of snatching of portable communication
gadgets like cellular phones can easily evade criminal liability by entering a plea of guilt to
a lesser offense during the trial or even if convicted he can always avail of the privilege of
probation and thereafter, resume his criminal activities. Hence, it is now high time that
Congress shall pass a law to neutralize, if not to eradicate, snatching, robbery and theft of
portable communication gadgets.

In view thereof, approval of the proposed bill is urgently requested

RACHEL MARGUERITE B. DEL MAR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

: 373
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: HON. RACHEL MARGUERITE B. DEL MAR

AN ACT
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THE CRIME OF THEFT AND
ROBBERY OF PORTABLE TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

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 “Anti-Theft and Robbery
of Portable Telecommunication Devices Act of 2010”.

SEC. 2. Definition. — Portable telecommunication device shall refer to cellular
telephones, personal digital assistants, portable computers, two-way very high frequency
(VHF) radios and other portable communication equipment utilized to transmit messages,
documents, photos, images, videos or information through air, radio or satellite frequencies.

SEC. 3. Penal Provision. — Any person convicted of the crime of theft and robbery as
defined under Chapters One and Three of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code of a portable
telecommunication device shall be punished by the penalty next higher in degree than those
respectively specified in the above-mentioned articles: Provided, That the additional penalty
specified herein shall no longer be made applicable if the imposable penalty is in its

maximum period.


SEC. 4. Unavailability of Plea-Bargaining and Probation Law. ~ Any person charged
under this Act shall not be allowed to avail of the provisions on plea-bargaining and the
privilege granted by the Probation Law or Presidential Decree No. 968, as amended.

SEC. 5. 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. 6.Separability Clause. — If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and
effect.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,