The Bicameral Conference Committee report on the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Bill has been ratified by the House of Representatives.
The conflicting provisions between House Bill (HB) 14 and Senate Bill (SB) 1310, both of which seek the mandatory registration of SIM cards, where harmonized by House and Senate members during the bicam meeting.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/28/proposed-sim-card-registration-act-hurdles-bicam-up-for-ratification/
Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin moved to ratify the bicam report during Wednesday's plenary session, the last before the House goes on a month-long break. The motion was approved through voice vote.
Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. presided over the session.
HB 14 was approved on third reading last Sept. 19, while SB 1310 was approved on third reading on Sept. 27.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/19/house-gives-final-nod-to-sim-card-registration-bill/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/27/senate-oks-mandatory-sim-registration-bill/
Under the measure, the sale and distribution of SIM cards will be regulated. In order to activate the SIM card, consumers must first register their full name, date of birth, gender, and address that appears in a valid government-issued identification document.
It is hoped that the measure will control the proliferation of mobile text scams and “smishing".
The House and Senate leadership previously vowed to approve this measure alongside the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) before the scheduled House recess on Oct. 1.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/09/congress-to-pass-bske-postponement-sim-card-registration-bill-before-recess/
The proposed SIM Card Registration Act still needs President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature in order for it to become a law.