[USEF REPRESLATAT

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
Quezon City |

17" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

377

RE@ISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill imposes a higher penalty for theft and robbery under Chapters One (1) and
Three (3) of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code of portable communication devices or
portable computers.

In the age of information technology, portable telecommunication devices have
become indispensable tools. However, reports from law enforcement agencies reveal a high
incidence of thievery of these devices, brought on by high demand for said devices and the
ease with which the thieves are able to sell these stolen items.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

17" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Prd
HOUSE BILLNO._3¢7

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THE CRIME OF THEFT AND ROBBERY
OF PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND PORTABLE COMPUTERS

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-Theft and Robbery
of Portable Telecommunication Devices and Portable Computers Act”.

SEC. 2. Definition of Terms:

(a) “Portable telecommunication device” shall refer to a device utilized to transmit, emit
or receive voice, data, electronic messages, text, written or printed matter, fixed or
moving pictures or images, words, music or visible or audible signals or sounds, or
any information, intelligence and/or control signals of any design/format and for the
purpose of accessing public telecommunication services by wire, radio, spectral,
visual/optical/light, or other electronic, electromagnetic and technological means
including but not limited to cellular cellphones, two-way very high frequency (VHF)
or ultra high frequency (UHF) radios.

(b) “Portable Computer” shall refer to a variety of electronic devices that is capable of
accepting data, programs and/or instructions, executing the programs and/or
instructions to process the data and presenting the results, such as but not limited to
laptops, notebooks.

SEC. 3. Penal Provision. Any person convicted of the crime of theft and robbery as
defined under Chapters One (1) and Three (3) of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code of a
portable communication device or portable computer shall be punished by the penalty next


higher in degree than those respectively specified in the aforementioned articles; Provided,
that the additional penalty specified herein shall no longer be made applicable if the
imposable penalty is in its maximum period.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and

effect.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,