The committee on information and communications technology of the House of Representatives has approved a new bill regarding the mandatory registration of all postpaid and prepaid subscriber identity module cards (SIM cards).
Under House Bill 14, which Speaker Martin Romualdez filed, the consolidation of several bills was approved by the chair of the panel Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco. This was the exact version of the bill that was approved by the 18th Congress but was not yet made law.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda invoked Rule 10, Section 48 to hasten the approval of the consolidation of the bill so it could be approved for 3rd reading in the immediately preceding Congress.
At the moment, only postpaid/cellular phone subscribers’ SIM cards are required to be registered.
Under HB 14, all public telecommunications entities (PTE) or any authorized seller will require you to submit and sign three copies of a numbered registration form issued by the PTE.
The form will include an authentication that will make sure the person who accomplished the document is the same person that appeared before the seller. The form will also show the subscriber’s name, birthday, gender, and address that appears in the valid ID provided by the customer alongside the assigned mobile number and serial number.
The information given will be treated with absolute confidentiality unless the PTE is given authority by the customer to access such information. Also, these will all be submitted to the National Telecommunications Commission.
The Benefit and Possible Fines of SIM Card Registration
But what if the number registered becomes involved in an unlawful act? The information may then be disclosed via court order or a written request from any law enforcement agency to be used in the investigation.
If the offense proven was done by the PTE, the president or any officer responsible will be fined up to PHP 300,000 for the 1st offense and up to PHP 500,000 for the second offense and then PHP 1 million for the next offense and any succeeding offense after that.
Meanwhile, if the offender is an authorized seller, his/her operation will be suspended alongside a fine of PHP 5,000 to 50,000.
Through HB 2819, mandating the ownership of registered SIM cards will ensure the reduction of criminal activities according to Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan.
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