On Monday, October 10, 2022, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the SIM Registration Act, requiring Filipinos to register their SIM cards, prepaid or postpaid.
Under the measure, unsold SIM cards will be activated only after registration with a Public Telecommunication Entity (PTE) — the telco and its representatives.
Meanwhile, existing SIM subscribers must register with their respective telco within 180 days of the law's effectivity. Failure to register within the specified timeframe will result in the SIM service being deactivated automatically.
SIM Registration Requirements
Here are the details and documents required when registering a SIM card.
A user would be required to provide the following information during registration:
- Full name
- Complete address
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Mobile number of the SIM card and serial number
Registrant must also present an original and a true copy of any government-issued ID with a photo, such as:
- Philippine National ID
- Passport
- Driver's License
- SSS/GSIS ID
- UMID Card
- Senior Citizen's Card
- NBI Clearance
- Police Clearance
- Firearms License
- Voter's ID
- TIN ID
- PRC ID
- OWWA ID
- PWD Card
- School ID (for minors)
For foreign nationals in the Philippines, the following information is required:
- Full name
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Address in the Philippines
Foreigners will be required to provide the documents listed below:
- Passport
- Return or departure ticket (for tourists)
- Proof of address in the Philippines
- Alien Employment Permit
- Alien Certificate of Registration ID
- School registration ID (for students)
- Other relevant documents
SIM cards registered by tourists are only valid for 30 days.
On the other hand, a person may purchase or register a SIM card on behalf of another individual with a duly notarized Special Power of Attorney.
The principal and representative must present both the original and a true and clear copy of any valid photo ID.
For those minors registering for a SIM card, a parent or legal guardian must submit written consent along with the registration form and valid ID (with photo) for both the minor and the parent or legal guardian.
Penalties
The fine for telcos that fail or refuse to register a SIM card without a valid reason ranges from PHP 100,000 to PHP 1 million.
A violation of confidentiality will result in a fine between PHP 500,000 and PHP 4 million.
Six (6) months to two (2) years in prison and a fine of up to PHP 300,000 await those who provide false information, fake ID, spoof a registered SIM, or sell a stolen SIM.
SIM Registration Bill
The measure is the consolidated version of the bills passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, requiring registration to go directly through PTE platforms prior to activation of a sim card.
The SIM Registration bill aims to reduce the number of frauds perpetrated via text messages by regulating the sale and usage of SIM cards.
Globe and Smart, the country's two largest telecommunications companies, have previously expressed support for SIM card registration and pledged to assist the government in preventing electronic crimes.
See also:
In April 2022, former president Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the SIM Card Registration Act due to mandatory social media registration.
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