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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

DATE
TIME: 2B on

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

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HOUSE BILL NO. 7052

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to protect senior citizens from various forms of fraud that utilize mail
and telecommunication technologies. It mandates the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) through the local government units (LGUs), to periodically disseminate
to senior citizens, their families and caregivers within their respective jurisdictions, general
information on mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud targeting senior citizens. The proposed
measure also defines the roles of other government agencies in protecting our elderly from
these various forms of fraud.

As we continue to navigate the digital age, it is of paramount importance that we not
only embrace the opportunities that technology provides us, but also take steps to protect those
who may be vulnerable to its dangers. One such group that we must be particularly mindful of
is our senior citizens,

Senior citizens are often targeted by online fraudsters and scammers, who use various
tactics such as love scams, phishing schemes, and other forms of deception to steal their money
and personal information. These types of crimes not only have a financial impact on our senior
citizens, but they can also cause emotional distress, and in some cases, even lead to serious
physical harm.

It is therefore primordial for the government to take steps to safeguard and protect our
elderly from various forms of fraud committed through mail and telecommunication
technologies. We must take action to educate and protect them, and work together to bring
scammers to justice. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to look out for the elderly and ensure
that they can enjoy the benefits of technology without fear of falling victim to these types of
crimes.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly Sojght.

Lone District, Muntinlupa City

RECEIVED 2

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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

+ Paaag
HOUSE BILL no. 7052

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

AN ACT
PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZENS FROM VARIOUS FORMS OF FRAUD

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 “Senior Citizens’ Protection
From Fraud Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to care for
the elderly and prioritize their needs and protection. It shall ensure that this sector of society
shall be protected from the ills and evils of modern technology that take advantage of their lack
of information and knowledge on these innovations.

Towards this end, the government shall establish mechanisms to protect senior citizens
from fraud that utilize mail and telecommunication technologies.

SEC. 3. Education on Mail, Telemarketing, and Internet Fraud Targeting Senior
Citizens. - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through the local
government units (LGUs), after consultation and in coordination with the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Postal Corporation, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens shall:

1, Periodically disseminate to senior citizens, their families and caregivers, general
information on mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud targeting senior citizens,
including descriptions of the most common fraud schemes;

2. Periodically disseminate to senior citizens, their families and caregivers, information
on methods available to report fraud targeting seniors, through:

a. the referral of complaints to law enforcement agencies, including the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBD;


b. the establishment of telephone hotlines for reporting mail, telemarketing and
internet fraud; and

c. creation of a website to serve as a resource for information for senior citizens,
and families and caregivers of senior citizens, regarding mail, telemarketing,
and internet fraud targeting senior citizens.

SEC. 4. Coordination with Government Agencies. — In gathering information fraud to be
disseminated to senior citizens, the DILG shall coordinate with the following government
agencies:

a. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) — with respect to fraud and scams related to
products and services of BSP-regulated financial institutions;

a

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Insurance Commission — with
respect to fraud and scams related to lending and investment instruments and
insurance products; and

¢. National Telecommunications Commission — with respect to text scams and
Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card fraud;

.

Philippine Postal Corporation — with respect to fraud and scams committed through
mail; and

°

. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and
Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) — for other fraudulent
activities and cybercrimes.

The DICT shall establish an online network among the agencies mentioned above as well
as other relevant government agencies that shall link them to facilitate coordination and sharing
of information.

SEC. 5. Roles of Other Government Agencies. —

a. The DICT shall periodically provide the DILG information on intemet and
telecommunications fraud targeting senior citizens, including information on how they may be
protected from the same. It shall also provide technical assistance to senior citizens, families,
and caregivers who directly seek the assistance of the Department on internet and
telecommunications fraud.

b. The DT! shall, in response to a specific request by a party inquiring about any history
of fraud committed by a particular entity or individual, provide to such party any publicly
available information on any record of law enforcement action for fraud against such entity or
individual by the DTI and by any other agency that reports such actions to the DTI.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The DILG shall, within sixty (60) days
after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective
implementation.


SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,