· 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
T) 
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SENATE 
0(1'1\ 1'1)4 
S, No, .),$ 0 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The popularity and portability of mobile phones and other audio-visual electronic devices 
have made them ubiquitous; everybody has one and cannot leave home without it. However, the 
portability of these gadgets has made it harder to discourage people from carrying them into 
movie theaters, concert halls and other areas where performances are held. In such places, noises 
made from the use of phones and other gadgets are a nuisance to the rest of the audience, who 
have paid to see the performance. 
Unfortunately, despite repeated reminders from theater operators to turn off cel phones or 
complaints from other members of the audience who are bothered by the noise, many patrons 
continue using these devices in the midst of a show. 
The bright light from screens and the noise generated from people who answer calls, play 
games, surf the internet and access other media on their electronic gadgets are highly disruptive 
in closed spaces; their conduct distracts others from their purpose for being in the theater. 
However, without the prospect of facing any consequences for such disruptive behavior, 
it is easy to disregard polite requests to stop using these devices. Hence, it is time to establish a 
law with corresponding penalties to marshal rude gadget users and allow other patrons to fully 
appreciate and enjoy the performance. Jurisprudence has consistently upheld the government's 
right to impose restraints which regulate the time, place and manner of expression in public 
places. 
This bill prohibits the use of mobile phones, two-way radios and audio-visual electronic 
devices inside movie theaters, concert halls and other venues where public performances are 
being held. Theater owners must escort violators out of the venue immediately. and fines will be 
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meted out to those who violate this Act. Through this bill, the government shall be able to 
provide a safe and enjoyable public space for the benefit of its citizens. 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
3384 
1 " 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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PROHIBITING THE USE OF CELLULAR OR MOBILE TELEPHONES, TWO-WAY 
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RADIOS AND OTHER AUDIO-VISUAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES INSIDE MOVIE 
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THEATERS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARENA 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Silent Mode Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(A) "Movie theater" shall mean a building where theatrical performances or motion-
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picture shows can be presented; 
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(B) "Mobile telephone" 
means a cellular, analog, wireless, digital or other similar 
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telephone or communications device, which can be used to access two-way real time 
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voice telecommunications service that is interconnected to a public switched 
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telephone network 
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(C) "Two-way radios" means portable wireless communications systems that can receive 
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and transmit signals 
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(D) "Audio-visual electronic devices" include personal digital assistants, video and still 
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cameras, video game devices, computer tablets, portable media players and other 
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similar gadgets. 
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SECTION 3. Prohibition on the use of eel phones and audio-visual electronic device. -
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Mobile telephones, two-way radios and audio visual electronic devices shall be turned off or 
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placed on vibrate or silent mode at all times in the following places: 
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(A) Jylovie theaters; 
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(B) Concert halls and auditoriums; 
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(C) Any other indoor venue in which theatrical, musical, dance cinema, lecture or other 
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similar public performances are exhibited. 
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SECTION 4. Responding to calls. - Patrons must leave the theater or move to an area 
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where they cannot be heard, in order to make or answer a call or otherwise use the device. 
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SECTION 5. Obligation of establishment owners and employees. -
Owners and 
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employees of the establishments which fall under Section 3 shall escort anyone caught violating 
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this Act out of the venue immediately. The cost ofthe ticket will not be refunded to the violator. 
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Before every performance, the establishment shall issue a reminder to the audience to 
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turn off their gadgets or put them on silent mode. It shall also be their obligation to post copies 
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of this Act at the entrance of the venue in plain view of patrons. 
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SECTION 6. Penalties. - Every person who is found to have violated this Act, shall be 
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penalized as follows: 
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First Offense 
Second Offense 
Third Offense 
Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) 
One Thousand Pesos (PI ,000.00) 
Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00) 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
lacs 
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