Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE.BILL NO. 3953 _

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill defines as an offense cutting in or breaking up queues and imposing
penalties for such offenses.

Lining up or queuing is premised on the principle that prior arrival confer
superiority in the rank order of the queue, and that it is a precondition of access to
the service, which the queue seeks, It is important in social order and peace such
that a disruption of such order should be deemed a contemptuous act directed
against individuals constituting the queue and the providers of the service.

The proponents are certain that this measure will enforce peace and order and
will instill the values of timeliness, courteousness, discipline, patience, and respect
The advantages of falling in line do not end at fulfilling a safe and orderly provision of
goods and services. It also leads to a culture and social behavior of self-control and
self-discipline, which are important social and cultural factors in curbing peddling,
corruption, harassment and oppression.

This bill adheres to the "Anti-wang-wang policy” of the current administration
as it prohibits the use of any positions of power, social status, prominence, or
reputation to cut in, break up, or disrupt the order of a line. Recently, no less than the
President personally lined up at the Land Transportation Office for the renewal of his
driver's license and refusing any form of VIP treatment from the said government
agency.

In-view of the above circumstances, the swift passa: f the bill is earnestly

sought

Rep. CHRISTORHER S. CO Rep. RODEL MYBATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 3953

Introduced by CHRISTOPHER S. CO and RODEL M. BATOCABE

AN ACT
PENALIZING THE ACT OF CUTTING IN LINE, BREAKING LINES, AND OTHER
RELATED ACTS FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Singit Act of 2014”
Section 2. Definition. For purposes of this Act, a line is defined as a physical line of
waiting customers and potential customers who wait for service or goods from one or
more service-providers. A queuing/line system which employs mechanisms to
expedite the line, make the line convenient and comfortable for customers or
potential customers, by not requiring the formation of a line but requiring their
physical presence during the wait until they are served, shall be regarded as a line
Section 3. Offenses. The following acts shall constitute the offense of Cutting in
Lines or Singit under this Act
(a) overtly or covertly enter a line at any position other than the end which may
include joining others in the line or using any instrument or scheme to save
a slot or space in a line;
(b) break up a line or employ devices and schemes to disrupt the order and
cause confusion as to the order of persons in a physical or virtual line;
(c) make use of any positions of power, social status, prominence, or
reputation to cut in, break up, or disrupt the order of a line; or
(d) employ devices, schemes, and deceit in order to cut in, break up, or disrupt
the order of a line.
Provided that, in all above instances, there is a signage or written notice posted at
the premises of the service-provider indicating the existence and requiring the
formation of a line.


Section 4. Penalties. — Any person who shall violate the provisions of Section 4
hereof shall suffer the penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding five thousand
pesos (R5,000,00) or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court.

Section 5. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

Section 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,