PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022, the SIM Registration Act that seeks to address the spread of spam text messages and scams, earning praise from Cebu officials.
“With the signing of this act, we will finally achieve what has long been overdue, an effective means of regulating the issuance of SIM cards to curb the spread of spam text messages and scams,” Marcos said in his speech during the ceremonial signing of the law at Malacañang.
“We will soon be able to provide law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to resolve crimes perpetrated with the use of these SIM cards, as well as providing a strong deterrence against the commission of wrongdoing,” he added.
In Cebu City, Councilor Phillip Zafra, chairman of the committee on peace and order, told SunStar Cebu that bomb threats in the city may now be a thing of the past following the signing of the law.
Officials from Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City also welcomed the development.
First law
The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Registration Act was the first legislative measure that successfully passed the approval of the bicameral panel of both houses in the 19th Congress.
It is the first law signed by Marcos since he assumed office as the country’s chief executive last June 30.
Under the SIM Registration Act, a consolidation of Senate Bill 1310 and House Bill 14, telecommunication firms are required to ask for a user’s valid identification documents before their SIM card can be activated and maintain a list of their registered subscribers.
Subscriber’s information includes full name, date of birth and address of users. All this information is “absolutely confidential” unless it is subpoenaed in aid of an investigation.
It also mandates that they submit a verified list of their authorized dealers and agents nationwide to the National Telecommunications Commission, with updates every quarter of the year.
Existing SIM cards are covered by the law. If not registered, they will be deactivated.
The use of false or fictitious information, the use of fictitious identities, and the use of fraudulent documents or identifications to register a SIM card or the sale of stolen SIM cards will be dealt with by appropriate penalties.
“Truly, the legislation is going to be welcomed by many of our people, especially now with reports of the commission of various crimes using mobile phones, including proliferation of text scams and spam,” said Marcos.
“Indeed, with the signing of this law, we set the important tone that it is our national policy to ensure that technology shall only be used to improve our people’s lives,” he added.
Cebu City
In Cebu City, Zafra said the City Government was glad that the measure had been approved amid the proliferation of bomb scares and scam messages.
Last May 26, text messages circulated on social media that four areas in the city--the Qimonda IT Center Complex in the North Reclamation Area that houses the Cebu City Hall of Justice, the legislative building, the Carbon market and the newly opened Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway--would be bombed.
The Cebu City Police Office was quick to assure the public that these were all hoaxes.
“Finally, nahimo na gyud na nga balaod (there is a law)... Makahibaw gyud ta kung kinsa ang tag-iya ana nga number (We will be able to identify who owns that cell phone number). Tabang gyud ni (It’s a big help), especially in the security aspect,” said Zafra.
The councilor disclosed that no progress happened in the investigation of the recent bomb scare due to the inability of the authorities to determine the owner of the phone number used by the culprits.
Now that there is already a law that will require SIM card owners to register their numbers, Zafra believes that it will be easier to hunt down the suspects.
Last May’s incident was the second time for Qimonda this year to receive a bomb threat by text message.
Zafra urged the public to be more vigilant and immediately report to the authorities any suspicious text message that may lead to scamming or any other threats to the public.
Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes told SunStar Cebu that the signing of the law would be a big help to prevent scammers and fraudsters from victimizing the people.
“These unscrupulous individuals operate blatantly as they hide under the veil of anonymity,” said Cortes.
Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Annabeth Cuizon said this is a good piece of legislation since it can help the general public in the fight against the proliferation of text scams and fake news, among others.
Cuizon also noted that the law promotes accountability for what people say or do using their mobile gadgets.
“Most of all, it will enhance our law enforcers’ capability to investigate crimes using mobile phones,” she added.
Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Marciano Alforque Jr. expressed the same sentiments, saying this is good for the republic when it comes to security.
Good and bad
Khadijah Maricar Pamplona, a school principal in Talisay City, Cebu, told SunStar Cebu that the newly signed law has good and bad sides.
Pamplona said some people who value their privacy might oppose the law but the measure will now allow government agencies to scrutinize text messages being used in scamming and bomb threats.
“However, this law is promulgated to protect the safety and security of its citizens. Of course, the proliferation of text scams, phishing and other cyber crimes would be reduced because their mobile numbers can easily be tracked,” said Pamplona.
She said she feels good that the government is there “going the extra mile to keep its citizens safe from the big bad wolves out there.” (SunStar Philippines)