FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
Republic of the Philippines 
1 
8 
RUG 12 1 :I! 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Road safety of drivers is the primary concern of this bill. As the 
proliferation of use of cellular phone continues, the citizens neglect the proper 
use of these communication gadgets. It is common to see drivers of different 
vehicles use their cellular phones while driving. Some are even using the short 
messages sending or text messaging, taking away their concentration while 
driving. Absence of concentration on the road can be fatal not only to the cellular 
phone user but also to other drivers using the road. 
This bill prohibits the use of cellular phone while driving and provides 
penalty for violation thereof. However, drivers may make use of cellular phone 
accessories for making communication in order not to divert their attention while 
driving, and thus avoid unnecessary accidents. 
The urgent passage of this bill is thus needed. e- 
ING 
Y EJERCITO ESTRAD !2 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
Republic of the Philippines 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF CELLULAR PHONE WHILE DRIVING 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Pbi/@pif?es 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the " Anti-Cellular 
Phone Use While Driving Act of 2008." 
SECTION 2. Deoaration ofpoky - It is the policy of the State to maintain 
peace and order, protect life, liberty and property, and promote the general 
welfare of the people. 
While the State recognizes the vital role of communication and 
information in nation-building, the State puts premium on the life of its citizens 
by regulating the use of communication gadgets and by using said gadgets in 
their proper perspective. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term - 
a) "Cellular Phone" means a mobile hand-carried phone which can send 
messages through short messages sending or text messaging or through 
dial up system of communication like the telephone; 
b) "Text Message Sending' means the use of short message sending by 
pounding the keyboard of the cellular phone composing a message and 
sending it through the system of the cellular phone; 
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c) "Accesson" means the devise or apparatus that can be connected to the 
cellular phone such as, but not limited to, earphones, microphones, jacks, 
capable of sending, receiving, storing or otherwise processing messages 
from other gadgets of communication. 
SECTION 4. Use of Cellular Phone While DHving. - To carry out the above- 
mentioned policy, it shall be prohibited to use the cellular phone while driving all 
types of vehicles, by text messaging and/or by dial up communication. 
Owners of cellular phone may make use of different accessories to be connected 
therein before using the same while driving vehicles. 
SECTION 5. Penal Provisions. - Any person who violates Section 4 of this Act 
shall be punished with imprisonment for not less one (1) year nor more than six 
(6) years or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Pesos (PlO,OOO), 
or both at 
the discretion of the court. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with or contraty to the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Separabiliv Ciause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not 
affected shall continue to remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 8. €/Ectivily - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved. 
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