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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No._ 8996 _

Introduced by Representatives Enrico A. Pineda and Michael Odylon L. Romero, Ph.D.

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 21 OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 146
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SERVICE ACT

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Part of the blame concerning the dismal state of internet and
telecommunications services in the country is set on the old penalty provision on
‘a law which was enacted over seventy years ago which provides that erring
public utility service providers may only be penalized to a maximum of two
hundred pesos. In that regard, according to the National Telecommunications
Commission (NTC), penalties that may be dealt to the big telecommunications
firm which fail to meet the standards it has set may only be penalized two
hundred pesos per day of its failure to meet such standards. This is too measly
compared to the billions it rakes in as profits from operation and more
importantly, to the inconvenience they caused to the subscribers for the below
standard service they provide to the public.

‘Though the undersigned believes that the proposal to increase the amount
of penalties provided in the Public Service Act to two million pesos may still be
just a small sting to the rather big billion peso entities like the existing
telecommunication giants, this should be a welcome step towards a direction of
calling these public utilities to shape up and provide the public better services
that they so rightfully deserve. More efforts should be forthcoming as we
endeavor to improve internet and telecommunications services in the country
which has since lagged behind our other Southeast Asian neighbors.

Early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

fon A. PINEDA MICHAI )YLON L. ROMERO, PH.D.



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3996

Introduced by Representatives Enrico A. Pineda and Michael Odylon L. Romero, Ph.D,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 21 OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 146
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SERVICE ACT

Section 1. Section 21 of Commonwealth Act No. 146 otherwise known as the
Public Service Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 21. Every public service violating or failing to comply with
the terms and conditions of any certificate or any orders, decisions
or regulations of the Commission shall be subject to a fine of not
exceeding [two hundred pesos] TWO MILLION PESOS per day
for every day during which such default or violation continues; and
the Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to impose
such fine, after due notice and hearing.

The fines so imposed shall be paid to the Government of the
Philippines through the Commission, and failure to pay the fine in
any case within the same specified in the order or decision of the
Commission shall be deemed good and sufficient reason for the
suspension of the certificate of said public service until payment
shall be made. Payment may also be enforced by appropriate action
brought in a court of competent jurisdiction. The remedy provided
in this section shall not be a bar to, or affect any other remedy
provided in this Act but shall be cumulative and additional to such
remedy or remedies.”

Section 2. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
administrative orders or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to
be in full force and effect.


Section 4. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two
(2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,