DOJ backs SIM card registration bills

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has supported bills in the House of Representatives seeking to regulate mobile communication through registration of prepaid SIM cards.

In a two-page legal opinion, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she sees nothing wrong with the enactment of the proposed SIM Card Registration Act that will ensure the safety and welfare of the public.

De Lima believes it would aid law enforcers in tracking down criminals who would use mobile phones to commit heinous crimes like kidnapping and bombing.

“We interpose no legal or constitutional objection to the proposed bills which are within the purview of what is embodied in Article II on the Declaration of Principles and State Policies of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly Section 5 thereof, which promotes the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare being essential for the enjoyment of all the people,” she said.

The DOJ chief also stressed that the passage of House Bill Nos. 525, 858, 1519, 2444, 2588 and 2642 is within the power of Congress.

“We submit that it is within the power of Congress to enact laws that are for public good so as to ensure that public safety and public welfare are given primordial importance over business interests and personal comfort,” she said.

“We also support the penal clauses indicated in the proposed bills as well as the provisions requiring the confidentiality of personal information which may only be disclosed upon written order of a competent court to ensure that individual rights are still protected from reckless disclosure of information,” she said.

De Lima, however, suggested that a consolidated version of the proposed legislation be adopted.

House legislators are eyeing to require the registration of prepaid mobile SIM cards in a bid to promote public safety and prevent crime.

House Bill Nos. 525, 858, 1519, 2444, 2588, and 2642, which will be collectively called the SIM Card Registration Act, would require telecommunication companies to set up a “foolproof system” to identify prepaid mobile subscribers - which account for more than 90 percent of the combined 109 million cellular subscriber accounts of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe as of June.

Proponents of the bill are looking into registration of prepaid SIM cards as post-paid accounts are already registered with the mobile networks.