NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — According to Malacanang, President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed the proposed Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act.

According to acting Presidential Spokesperson, Communication Secretary Martin Andanar, the provision requiring mandatory registration of social media accounts pushed Duterte to oppose the bill.

“The President has chosen to veto Senate Bill No. 2395/House Bill No. 5793, which seeks to require the registration of all SIM cards and social media accounts in order to combat electronic communication-aided crimes,” he added.

While Duterte praised Congress’ efforts to address the rising incidence of cybercrime and offenses involving information and communications technology (ICT), Andanar said he was “forced to disagree with the inclusion of social media in the measure, without providing proper guidelines and definitions.”

He voiced concern that the contested provision “may give rise to a situation of dangerous state interference and surveillance, endangering several constitutionally protected rights,” according to the President.

“It is the President’s responsibility to ensure that any statute is consistent with the Constitution’s obligations, such as those that protect individual privacy and free speech,” Andanar added.

Duterte also requested a “more thorough” examination of the proposal to require social media registration.

“Previous versions merely required SIM card registration. “With regard to social media registration, the President similarly found that certain areas of state intrusion, or the regulation thereof, have not been adequately defined, debated, or threshed out in the enrolled bill,” Andanar said. “The inclusion of social media providers in the registration requirement was not included in the initial version of the bill, according to the President, and requires more investigation.”

Despite Duterte’s decision to veto the SIM Card Registration bill, he expressed hope that lawmakers would continue to design legislation that would provide the Filipino people with a “safe and secure online environment.”

“Notwithstanding this, we urge Congress not to give up on enacting effective and enhanced policies that provide our citizens with a safe and secure internet environment, provided that they pass the legal examination,” Andanar added.

The bicameral conference committee report on contrasting provisions of the proposed SIM Card Registration Act was ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives in February.

Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) are required to require SIM card registration for collection in a centralized database as a pre-requisite to the sale and activation of SIM cards under the measure.

“All social media account providers shall need (the) true name and phone number (of a user) upon establishment of an account,” the bill adds.

It punishes those who create social media accounts under false identities with a fine of PHP200,000 and up to six years in prison, or both.

End-users will be required to produce valid identification with a photo, as well as a completed control-numbered registration form given by the respective PTE, to direct dealers.

If a person wants to buy a SIM card but is unable to do so for a justifiable cause, they can allow another person to do so if they have a Special Power of Attorney and the principal buyer and representative are properly identified.

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