THE House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 5793 entitled “An Act Requiring the Registration of Subscriber Identity Module Cards”, also known as the “SIM Card Registration Act”.

Manila Rep. Manny Lopez together with Rep. Victor Yap, who were among the co-authors, lauded the House’s action as the said bill – which makes mandatory for all prepaid SIM Card sellers to have a record of the names and addresses of all SIM Card purchasers – will serve as a deterrent for the commission of crimes, particularly those involving acts of terrorism and acts aimed at propagating fear, panic, confusion, and even false information.

It will be recalled that Lopez earlier filed HB 453 entitled “An Act Mandating the Cooperation of All Telecommunications Corporations, Internet Service Providers, and Social Media Networks in Creating an Efficient Identification Mechanism for the Deterrence of the Commission of Terrorist Activities and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof”, while Yap filed HB No. 298 entitled “An Act Requiring the Registration of All Users of Subscriber Identity module Cards”, two of several bills consolidated to form part of House Bill 5793.

Without a law requiring the disclosure of personal information prior to purchasing a SIM Card, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for government authorities to prosecute criminal acts arising from the use of mobile phones, as there are very limited means to identify the perpetrator.

As explained by Lopez, “(O)nly when government agencies are able to pinpoint the root cause of this problem can they begin to hold certain individuals responsible for the commission of this crime. Without any means of identifying these anonymous texters and personalities behind the fake social media accounts, we will not be able to put a stop to this recurring criminal act.”

With the approval of the said the bill and passage into law soon, he said the government will now have the means to track and know the identity of persons who, thru the use of their mobile phones, commit illegal acts.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco