Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED

Quezon City ore AUS 06 2019

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ORE

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to penalize the malicious prank callers to government
emergency hotlines to prevent unnecessary delays and hindrances in the public
service delivery during emergencies. :

As mandated by the government, emergency hotlines were established to
provide an accessible portal for citizens who are involved in serious, unexpected,
and often dangerous situations that require immediate attention and action. It is
therefore only fitting that the state ensures the constant availability of the hotlines
as well as the emergency responders. Prank callers prove to be hindrances to such
as they intentionally fool our responders into possibly attending to them, which in
turn wastes precious time and resources.

It is high time that we, as public servants, ensure that our emergency
service delivery remains accessible, seamless, and responsive to our citizens. It is
the responsibility of the state to put safeguards in our law that will help facilitate
the success of aforementioned goals. As such, in support of the efforts of this
administration, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

JOH! RVIN/YUL SERVO” C. NIETO


70

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 2432 __

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT
PENALIZING PRANK CALLERS TO EMERGENCY HOTLINES

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Prank Callers Act of
2019”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote the general welfare or the people. Towards this end, the State aims to
prohibit malicious and improper use of telecommunication devices.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) Prank call refers*to a mischievous or malicious telephone call made to trick
or fool someone with the intention to annoy, abuse, threaten, harass, or
solicit any comment, request, suggestion or sound which is obscene, lewd,
lascivious, filthy or indecent, or a call intending to make false requests or
false alarm of an emergency, knowing the report or information or alarm to
be false;

b) Emergency refers to a serious, unexpected and often dangerous situation
requiring immediate attention and action; and

c) Hotline refers to a direct telecommunication set up for a specific purpose.

Sec. 4. Prohibition. - 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
any hotline at any time.

Sec. 5. Penalties. - Any person who violates this Act shall be penalized
with: q

a) Arresto menor and a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) for the first
offense;

b) Arresto mayor a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) for the second
offense; and

¢) Prision correccional and a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) for
the third and succeeding offenses.


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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
prohibited act herein.

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is subsequently
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All acts and decrees, executive orders,

implementing rules and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity - this Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its complete

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines

Approved,