Cauayan City, Isabela – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr on Monday, October 10, has signed the SIM Card Registration Act into law which seeks to combat text scams and similar crimes in the country.
The new law requires pre-paid SIM card subscribers to register and verify their identities with their corresponding phone numbers with their public telecommunications entities within 180 days of the law’s effectivity.
Meanwhile, an ample extension of verification by 120 days may be allowed thru a written request to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The law also mandates telecommunications companies (Telco’s) along with their sellers to have buyers fillout their information (birthday, address, gender, with valid photo).
It also requires SIM card buyers to present their assigned mobile and serial numbers, and will not be allowed to purchase if they fail to provide the said information.
The bill also states that the registration documents will be also be confidential for control measures.
However, to gain access of the registration documents, subscribers must present written letters, or court orders, or written requests from law enforcement offices with investigations.
Failure of authorized dealers and Telcos to comply will be fined from P5,000 to as high as P1 million, commensurate to violations found by the authorities.
According to the bill, government officials who will not enforce the law may also be fined or penalized.
Before the said bill was signed into law, the Senate and the national government had been looking into the uptick in the number of crimes related to text scams, online frauds, phishing, and hacking.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte also pushed for the same bill during his time. TNF