The SIM card registration bill is almost a law
The SIM card registration bill (officially known as the House Bill No. 5231 or the Subscriber Identity Module Card Registration ) has officially cleared one of its biggest hurdles recently as the House of Representatives has officially approved the bill on its third reading, according to Inquirer.net. The bill seeks to require buyers of pre-paid SIM cards to present valid identification with a photo with every purchase.
Aside from showing their ID, buyers will now be required to accomplish and write a registration form with a control number issued by whatever telco the SIM uses. Without the two requirements, buyers will not be able to purchase a SIM card.
The proposed bill also allows telcos to de-activate unregistered SIM cards.
The bill imposes stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance: sellers will be fined between P5,000 and P50,000 and may face suspension while telcos are fined P300,000 for first offense, P500,000 for second offense and P1,000,000 for third and subsequent violations.
The bill was introduced to reduce the theft of mobile phones in the country, as well as quell the malicious use of pre-paid SIMs for harrassment and spam messaging. The Aquino administration has officially went on record in favor of the SIM registration measure last year.
