SIM card mandatory registration nears passage, with stiff penalties for violators

The lower house nears passage of SIM card mandatory registration bill, a consolidation of 9 proposed measures, with stiff penalties for offenders.

Members of the House committee on Information and Communications Technology, led by its chairman and Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit, unanimously approved House Bill 5231, otherwise known as SIM card Registration Act of 2015.

The proposed measure, when passed, will madate all direct sellers to register pertinent data in a registration form device which include the full name and address of the end user while the latter has to present valid identification with photo to ascertain identity.

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The direct seller will also require the end user to accomplish and sign a control-numbered registration form issued by the respective Public Telecommunications Entity (PTE) of the SIM card being purchased.

The registration form will include an attestation by the end user that the person personally appearing before the direct seller and the identification documents presented are true and correct and that the person is one and the same who has accomplished and signed the registration form.

A fine of P300,000 would be imposed if the offense is committed by a PTE for the first time, P500,000 for the second offense and for the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of P1,000,000 each.

The bill also imposes a penalty of suspension of its operation on any direct seller who fails to comply with the provisions of the measure and a fine ranging from P5,000 to P50,000.

The House of Representatives is targeting to pass the bill on third and final reading before they adjourn sine die on June 11.

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