Yee Sh uF KEDRESENTATIVES
HECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV! 02 AUG 2016

EENTH CONGRESS, BYS 4

First Regular Se; REGISTRATION UNIT
2323 BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEV!

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON, ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The 911 National Emergency Hotline has been launched nationwide as a measure not only to
combat crime and corruption, but to provide the Filipino people a fast, adequate and efficient response
in emergency situations. This fucility is both a call and dispatch center that will link citizens needing,
assistance with the emergency resources of the government, either from the police, fire fighters,
medical workers or other rescue services. For convenience and easy memorization, the combination of
the numbers 9-1-1 was selected as the access number to the facility

By its very nature, this facility entails proper management of time and resources in order for it
to be effective, efficient and ultimately, serve its purpose. Therefore, the responsible use of this
hotline should not be compromised or abused at any time, ‘There is no room for prank callers and
practical jokers whose nonsensical mischief may spell the difference in saving the life of someone in
dire need of real help or in preventing damage to property.

‘The O11 emergency hotline received a total of 2,475 calls in the first seven hours since it
became active at 12:01 am. on August 1, 2016. However, only 75 of these were legitimate calls,
while 1,119 were dropped calls and 304 were prank calls,

This bill penalizes prank calling to protect the integrity and proper operation of emergency
hotlines. ‘These should not be burdened by irresponsible and senseless acts of mischief-makers for
these to be able to relay the need for emergency services to the proper responders on time, It is hoped
that the stiff penalties provided under this proposed measure would discourage would-be offenders
and make them think before committing such imprudent acts,

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

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iO RUBINO: B. BL ON

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH Ci

INGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __ 232 3

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B, BIAZON

AN ACT
RANK CALLER:

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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Repr
Congress assembled:

sentatives of the Philippine in

Section 1, Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Prank Caller Act”.

Sec.2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act
a. Prank call refers to a mischievous telephone call made to trick or fool someone.

b, Emergency refers to a serious, unexpected and often dangerous situation requiring
immediate action.

©. Hotline refers to a direct telephone line set up for a specific purpose.
Sec. 3. Prank Calling. ~ Emergency hotlines established for the purpose of responding

to emergency situations shall, at all times, be free from receiving unnecessary calls. It shall be
prohibited for any individual to make prank calls to these hotlines at any time.

Sec. 4. Penalties. - Any person who violates this Act shall be penalized with:
a. Arresto menor and a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) for the first offense;

b. Arresto mayor and a fine of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (P15,000.00) for the second
offense;

©. Prision correccional and a fine of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00) for the
third offense; and


d. Prision mayor and a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for the fourth and
subsequent offenses.

Provided, That the foregoing penalties shall be imposed without prejudice to other
liabilities under the Revised Penal Code or any special law arising out of the herein
prohibited act,

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting,

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction,
administrative orders, rules or regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,