SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
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OEC -1 
AIO :57 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2477 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
DEFINING THE CRIME OF IDENTITY THEFT, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Reports of persons using another person's identity for various intents and 
purposes - to solicit financial help, to sell and buy products, to destroy one's 
reputation, and others, have been increasing. Identity theft is becoming more 
prevalent especially these times when more and more people are becoming 
active in the world wide web and financial transactions are done online. 
Back in 2011, the Philippines is the fifth "most engaged social networking 
audience" and sixth largest Facebook population in the world. These information 
confirms that our people are largely prone to identity theft. 
The victims are not only those whose identity were used or stolen, but also those 
who believe that the thieves are the real ones, especially when money, honor or 
reputation are at stake. 
One is a case of a fashion blogger selling clothes and accessories online, and as 
such, she is very active in various social media sites. Despite the safety privacy 
precautions she has taken, her identity - including personal information and even 
photos - were still used by another person who is, until now, collecting money 
from persons who were buying clothes and accessories, thinking helshe was the 
real fashion blogger. She reported her case to the administrator of the social 
media site but to no avail. 


Another was the case of a call center agent who was arrested for using the photo 
and information of a Fil-Norwegian model to collect money from a foreign 
national thru a social media site. The perpetrator was arrested but was charged 
with estafa, violation of the e-commerce law, and illegal use of an alias. 
This bill intends to address this growing problem by making identity theft a crime. 
Penalties are provided for the perpetrators and to serve as a stern warning for 
others. 
This measure was introduced by Senator Manny Villar in the 15th Congress but 
was not passed into law. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2 4 7 7 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
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AlO '57 
DEFINING THE CRIME OF IDENTITY THEFT, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Identity theft is hereby defined as a crime. The crime is committed 
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when an individual with fraud, malice, ill will, intent to malign or with perversion, 
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uses another's relevant and sensitive personal information to take on that 
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person's identity. 
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SEC. 2. 
Any person who violates the provisions of this Act shall, upon 
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conviction, be penalized by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years nor more 
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than twenty (20) years, or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
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(P500,000.00) nor more than Five Million Pesos (P5,000,OOO.OO), or both such 
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fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. 
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SEC. 3. The National Statistics Office, as repository of personal records, in 
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coordination with the Department of Justice and other relevant offices shall 
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establish a framework of nationwide process to assist victims of identity theft, to 
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facilitate the victim's correction of false records and assist law enforcement in 
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obtaining evidence to apprehend the identity thieves. 
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SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the 
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approval of this Act, the Department of Justice shall promulgate the rules and 
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regulations to supplement the enforcement of this Act. 
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SEC. 5. 
Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby 
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shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, executive order, or 
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issuance, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 


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SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers 
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of general circulation. 
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Approved,