THIRTEENTH CONGRES OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 
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~~~V~~ "I' : 
S.BILLNo. 2 
Introduced by Sen. Alfred0 S. Lim 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In this electronic age, the most popular media of communication that 
are affordable but highly informative that reach the great many regardless of 
status in life are cable television and internet. 
Unfortunately, providers of CATV and internets are threatened by 
high incidence of theft through unauthorized interception of CATV 
programming or internet services. 
This has become a very serious issue that cable television and internet 
providers face today. 
Not only has the thefthnauthorized interception caused financial 
damage to providers, it had also made the signal poor thus depriving the 
consuming public excellent service. 
Cable television and internet must survive and remain competitive to 
provide affordable and fast media and communication services to their 
subscribers. 
Verily, CATVhnternet service/signal pilferage causes frequent 
disturbances and interruptions of the service to the detriment of authorized 
cable televisiodinternet operators. Thus, the need to declare such acts as 
unlawfd and providing penalties therefore. 
It is the bills purpose to protect the industry and provide its growth in 
order to assure high-quality service to the viewing public. 
SEN. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 
) 
mpmuc OF THE PHrLrPprms ) 
\ 
SENATE 
S. BILL No. 
06 
Introduced by SENATOR ALFRED0 S. LIM 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING AND PENALIZING THE UNAUTHORIZED USE, EXPLOITATION, 
INTER-CONNECTION WITH, OR RECEPTION OF ANY SIGNAL OR SERVICE OF 
EXISTING CABLE TELEVISION (CATV) OR CABLE INTERNET SYSTEM 
NETWORK. AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as “The Anti Cable 
Televisiodhternet Theft of Signal/Service Act o f  2006”. 
SECTION 2. Declarntion of Policy. - it is the policy of the State to 
protect the public and legitimate operators of: cable television (CATV) systems 
that secure and air programming through the reception of Iocal and foreign 
satellite, or other electromagnetic signals; as well as cable internet services that 
provide access to the worldwide web through the CATV systednetwork. 
SECTION 3. Cable Television (CATV) SystemLnternet, De$ned. - CATV 
or System Internet refers to electronic system, processes and facilities involving 
the delivery o f  signals and programs by broadcast television stations, local and 
foreign satellite program providers or CATV service operators, through the use of 
electronic equipment, such as digital or analog receiver-decoder box, set-top or 
converter box, modem, or any equivalent device or method that allows 
access or decoding of unencrypted or encrypted satellite program signals or other 


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electromagnetic signals or access into the systednetwork of the cable Internet 
service operator, or by the recording,, manufacture, distribution, importation or 
sale, of intercepted or received CATV signals and cable internet service. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts - The following are prohibited: 
a) Possession of electronic equipment, such as, digital or analog receiver- 
decoder boxes, set-up and converter boxes, modem or any equivalent 
circumvention devices or unencrypted or encrypted cosatellite program or 
other electromagnetic signals, wether local or foreign, or access into the 
systednetwork of the cable internet service operator Cable Television 
(CATV) Systednternet, when not duly licensed, authorized or permitted 
in writing by the licensed CATV or internet operator; 
b) Connection to or tapping on the existing facilities, systems, lines or 
networks of the cable or internet service operation of Cable Television 
(CATV) SystedIntemet operators through wire or electromagnetic means 
of electronic equipment, such as, digital or analog receiver-decoder boxes, 
set-top and converter boxes, modem or any equivalent circumvention 
devices or methods when not duly authorized and/or registered with the 
CATV and/or cable internet service operator; and, 
c) Damaging, destroying or removing any CATV and/or cable internet 
service operators without any prior written authorization from said 
operators or for malice, money or purposely to sabotage or cause their 
systems disruptions or network degradation. 
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SECTION 5. Prima Facie Evidence. - presence o f  any of the following 
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circumstances shall constitute prima facie evidence of illegal tapping, 


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interconnection or reception into the CATV or cable internet systemi network by 
the person benefited thereby, and ,shall be the basis for the immediate 
disconnection by the CATV or cable internet service operator to (a) such person 
after due notice, (b) the holding of preliminary investigation by the public 
prosecutor and the subsequent filling in court of the pertinent information, and (c) 
the lifting of any temporary restraining order or injunction which may have been 
issued against a CATV or cable internet operator: 
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( 1 ) 
The presence of drop cable, feeder and/ or trunk lines from the 
CATV or cable internet system/ network to the structure and facilities of the 
unauthorized person which has been confirmed by the CATV or cable internet 
service operator as not being authorized. 
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( 2 ) 
The unauthorized tapping of drop cable, feeder and/ or trunk lines 
into the CATV or cable system! network, and or the unauthorized 
installation of electronic equipment such a digital or analog receiver- 
decoder boxes, set-top and converted boxes, or modems, by person not duly 
authorized by the CATV or cable internet service operator. 
( 3 ) 
The unauthorized possession and use of electronic equipment such 
as digital or analog receiver- decoder boxes, set-top and converter boxes, or 
modem used to intercept CATV signals or access the cable internet 
systednetwork and which equipment have not been covered by the appropriate 
licenses and permits from the proper government regulatory agency or agencies in 
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
SECTION 6. Penalties. - Anyone who violates any provision of this Act 
or commits any of the prohibited acts in Section 4 hereof shall be punished by an 
imprisonment of not less than three (3) years but not more than five (5) years, or a 


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fine ranging from Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00) to One Hundred 
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Thousand Pesos ( P 100,000.00 ), or both, at the discretion of the court. 
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SECTION 7. Civil Indemnity. - Upon conviction, the duly authorized 
CATV or cable internet service operator may recover indemnity from 
persons convicted under this Act in an amount equivalent to one 
(1) year basic subscription fees presently charged to registered subscribers of such 
CATV or cable internet service operators. 
SECTION 8. Information 
Dissemination. 
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The 
National 
Telecommunications Commission and the Cable Television Associations in the 
Philippines, shall undertake an information dissemination campaign to the public 
of the salient features of this Act, within sixty (60) days from its effectivity and at 
least once a year thereafter. 
SECTION9. Rules 
and 
Regulations. 
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The 
National 
Telecommunications Commission, in consultation with the Cable Association of 
the Philippines and the public, shall issue the implementing ides and regulations 
to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the provisions of this Act 
after a public hearing which must commence within thirty (30) working days 
upon the effectivity of this Act and to be concluded not later than sixty (60) days 
thereafter. 
SECTION IO. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, ordinances, 
rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed. 


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SECTION 11. Esfectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) 
national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.