House ICT committee chair and Navotas City representative Tobias Reynald Tiangco said the country's large number of prepaid mobile subscriptions provides opportunities for nefarious individuals, as well as criminal acts for terrorists and insurgents.
Sen. Grace Poe highlighted the need to also dig deeper on how the telcos guarantee that their respective database is shielded from breaches and leakages.
A lawyer for local operator Globe Telecom said during a Senate hearing on Thursday, Sept. 8, that lawmakers may consider inserting a provision in the proposed SIM registration bill that requires SIM cards to be activated only after registration.
In April 2022, former president Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the SIM Card Registration Act two months after it was ratified by the House of Representatives and the Senate because of the inclusion of social media providers in the registration requirement.
Sen. Franklin M. Drilon defended the constitutionality of the vetoed bill as he underscored that the measure contains no constitutional infirmity, specifically the provision that merely mandates the use of one's real name and registered SIM card in creating social media accounts.
Re-electionist senator Sherwin Gatchalian underscored the need to separate the legislation on social media after a more thorough and comprehensive discussion.
The provision ordering the mandatory registration of social media accounts prompted Pres. Duterte to veto the measure, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said in a press statement.
The enrolled copies of the bills on the registration of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards and the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act were transmitted to Malacañang last March 15 and 17, respectively, for the president’s signing.
Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu also asked the government to institute stronger measures against phishing, noting that current laws are lacking in terms of enabling the prosecution of cybercriminals.
