Senate approves SIM Card Registration bill

Seeking to eradicate SIM card or electronic communication-aided crimes, the Senate, voting 21-0-0, approved on its third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2395 or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act last December 16, 2021.

By mandating the registration of SIM cards, the said bill aims to avert illicit activities committed by  taking advantage of the various accesses granted by mobile phones, internet or other electronic communication devices, including the use of fictitious identities to register SIM cards, spoofing, and the unauthorized sale of registered SIM cards.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services and sponsor of the bill, emphasized the necessity of this measure in her speech during the final reading of said bill.

 "The measure establishes another layer of security protection for Filipinos which will hopefully deter criminals from perpetrating their wicked plans. It is high time that we beef up our own infrastructures to address these threats to security," Poe said.

The bill will mandate public telecommunication entities (PTEs) to require the registration of SIM cards as a prerequisite to their sale and activation. As for existing and active subscribers, they will be required to register with their PTEs within a year from the bill’s effectivity; failing to do so will face deactivation.

Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon introduced a “quick-fix” against internet trolls as the bill was amended by adding social media in its Section 5 where "all social media account providers shall require real-name and phone number upon creation of account."

The penalties for using fictitious identities to register SIM cards and social media accounts provided in Section 10 of the proposed measure declares that  "the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) months and one (1) day to twelve (12) years, or a fine of up to two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), or both…”

In addition to paving the way for a more secure and safer mobile use and cyberspace, Poe reassures that the bill was crafted with the right to privacy of consumers held at the highest regard, and with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ensuring that the centralized SIM card registry will be done in accordance with the Data Privacy Act.