Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._466_

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER USE OF MOBILE DISASTER
ALERT SYSTEMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10639,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE FREE MOBILE DISASTER ALERTS ACT”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To safeguard lives during emergencies, Republic Act No. 10639, also known as the
“Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act,” was signed into law on June 20, 2014. This law mandates
that all mobile service providers deliver emergency alerts free of charge to their subscribers
during natural calamities or human-induced disasters. These alerts must be timely and relevant,
containing critical information such as the names and contact details of responsible agencies,
locations of evacuation centers, emergency pick-up points, and relief distribution sites.
Authorized entities, including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC), PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, and other relevant institutions, are responsible for

issuing these alerts at regular intervals.

However, the public’s trust in this crucial early warming system was threatened during
the 2025 election season. On April 5, 2025, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued
show-cause orders to four political candidates in Masbate Province following allegations that
voters had received mobile alerts urging them to support specific candidates. These messages
reportedly mimicked emergency notifications, raising serious concerns about the misuse of the

alert system in violation of the Republic Act (RA) 10639 and existing election laws.


Both the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the COMELEC denounced this act. The
OCD warned that these deceptive messages pose a threat to public safety by imitating
legitimate disaster alerts, which could cause confusion or lead to public apathy during real
emergencies. COMELEC also highlighted the risk of desensitization among the public if such

abuses continue unchecked.

Considering these events, there is an urgent need to strengthen Republic Act (RA)
10639. This proposed measure secks to introduce stricter penalties against unauthorized or
politically motivated use of the mobile alert system. This measure seeks to reinforce the

credibility and integrity of emergency alert systems, which is a matter of national importance.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

D. REMULLA



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 466_

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER USE OF MOBILE DISASTER
ALERT SYSTEMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10639,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE FREE MOBILE DISASTER ALERTS ACT”

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

SECTION 1. A new subsection (b) under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10639,
otherwise known as “The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act”, is hereby inserted to read as
follows:

“Sec. 6. Penalties. — (a) Any person who gives false or misleading data

or information or willfully or through gross negligence, conceals or falsifies a

material fact, in any investigation, inquiry, study, or other proceeding held

pursuant to this Act, shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than two

(2) months but not more than six (6) months, and with a fine of not less than

[@ne-thousand-pesos-(P1,000-00)] TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000) but

not more than [Fen—theusand—pesesP10,000.00)] FIFTY THOUSAND

PESOS (P50,000) : Provided, however, That if the false or misleading data or

information shall have been under oath, the maximum penalty for giving false
testimony or perjury shall be imposed.

(B) ANY PERSON WHO EMPLOYS THE MOBILE DISASTER
ALERTS MECHANISMS CREATED AND ESTABLISHED UNDER
THIS ACT TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION NOT COVERED NOR


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RELATED TO THE PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE DISSEMINATION OF
ELECTION CAMPAIGN MESSAGES, ADVERTISEMENTS AND
OTHER PROMOTIONAL MESSAGES, SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN TWO (2) YEARS BUT NOT
MORE THAN FIVE (5) YEARS, AND WITH A FINE OF NOT LESS
THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P 100,000.00) BUT NOT
MORE THAN ONE MILLION PESOS (P1,000,000.00).

[¢)] (©) If the offender is a corporation, the penalties may range from
the imposition of a fine of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but
not more than Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) and/or a suspension or
revocation of its legislative franchise and other permits and licenses by the NTC.
The maximum penalties prescribed in paragraph (a) shall also be imposed on the
members of its board and/or management, as applicable.

[€)] (D) An alien violating this Act shall, in addition to the penalty herein
provided, be deported after service of sentence and shall not be permitted reentry
into the Philippines.

[¢¢] (E) All monetary penalties shall directly accrue to the National
Treasury.

XXX.”

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,