Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House ai no._ 1519

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO-

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cellular phones and other modem gadgets capable of mobile communications
have become a necessity for many people not only in the Philippines but throughout the
world as well, The capacity to keep in touch with family, friends, and business associates,
is one of the reasons for the ever increasing importance of and demand for mobile
cellular phones. Recent advances in technology also allow cellular phones to store data,
take still pictures and videos, organize daily schedule, access to internet and map
assistance, Unsurprisingly, most people readily concede that they cannot live without a
cell phone. In fact, almost half of cellular phone users today carry with them a second
and third phone for convenience.

However, access to wireless technology through the prepaid Subscriber Identity
Module (SIM) cards does not allow the same protection and regulation as postpaid
cellular phone does. In stark contrast, the latter entails a lot of documentation
requirements to be availed while the former can be accessed without much effort. At
present, unregistered sale of prepaid SIM cards permits anybody to use cellular phones
anonymously. Making matters worst, SIM cards can be bought in almost every street of
the country at extremely low price. In fact, it is not uncommon for some cellular phone
users to keep multiple SIM cards for various reasons. Thus, criminal elements have
smartly opted to use these anonymous SIM cards as a new avenue to freely conduct
their illegal activities, i.e., contacting families of kidnap victims, extortion of money and
harassment

This measure proposes to mandate persons and entities engaged in the
business of selling SIM cards to establish a registry of SIM card buyers. Through this bill,
the name and certain information pertaining to a SIM card buyer is recorded in an
Information Sheet, with the end in view of aiding law enforcement agencies in tracking
criminals. Likewise, the measure will provide penalties and fine for violators of the same
to ensure compliance with the law and to guarantee accomplishment of its objectives.
The proposal will have its own safety features for it will require order of competent court
or appropriate request from the concerned agency upon showing of proof that revelation
of one's identity is necessary.

In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate approval of this bill is
eamestly sought.

foahe: (A
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative

1* District, City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__1549

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
MANDATING THE REGISTRATION OF ALL PREPAID SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY
MODULE (SIM) CARDS FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONES AND REQUIRING
TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES TO KEEP A REGISTRY OF THESE BUYERS.
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Coverage of Registration. - All corporations, partnerships and single
proprietorships engaged in the business of selling and dispensing prepaid Subscriber
Identity Module (SIM) cards for cellular phones are hereby mandated to register
pertinent data in an information sheet set up for the purpose, to wit

a) Full name and complete address of the buyer appearing in a valid identification
card. In view thereof, SIM card buyers shall be required to present and submit a
photocopy of any of the following identification documents:

Driver's License

School Identification Card
Company Identification Card
SSSI/GSIS Card

Passport

Senior Citizen's Card

NBI Clearance

. Firearms License

PNOMRONS

b) Assigned cell phone number of SIM card(s) and its serial number.

SEC. 2. Submission of Information Sheet. - The Information Sheet mentioned in Section
1 of this Act shall be accomplished in triplicate copies, and shall be forwarded by the
concerned corporation, partnership and single proprietorship for filing and record
purposes to the Telecommunications Service Provider and the local government unit
(LGU) under whose territorial jurisdiction the sale occurred.

The required Information Sheet and the copies thereof shall be certified by the
President, General Manager, Treasurer or any other duly appointed officer and the
Secretary of the corporation, partnership and single proprietorship, as the case may be.

SEC. 3. Disclosure of Information. -Upon order of any competent court or appropriate
request from a govemment law enforcement agency when it has been established that
there is probable cause that a particular cellular phone number was used in commission
of a crime or used for any illegal purpose, the Telecommunications Service Provider or
the concemed LGU shall be mandated to reveal the identity and personal circumstances
of the user of such number.


SEC. 4, Penalties. -Any corporation, partnership and single proprietorship, which shall
refuse or fail to comply with the registration requirement provided hereof, shall suffer the
following:

a) A fine of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00) for the first offense;

b) A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00) for the second offense;

¢) Imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months and a fine of One
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00) for the fourth offense; and

d) Revocation and cancellation of the business license of the corporation,
partnership or single proprietor and a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P
500,000.00) for the fourth offense.

The penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the President, General
Manager, Treasurer, Secretary or other duly appointed officer of the corporation,
partnership and single proprietor.

Any officer of a Telecommunications Company or concemed LGU, who shall
refuse or fail to comply with the provision enshrined under Section 3 hereof shall suffer
the following

a) A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00) for the first offense;

b) A fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P 100,000.00) for the second offense;

©) Imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to (1) year and a fine of One Hundred
Fifty (P 150,000.00) for the third and succeeding offenses.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Justice, in
coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission, shall issue the
necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,