Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has filed a bill expanding the scope of the country’s anti-wiretapping law to give Philippine authorities to the much-needed added teeth to go against crimes including coup d’ etat, robbery in band, highway robbery, drug-related offenses and money laundering.

Lacson noted that there are still certain crimes that are not covered under the present law even though wire tapping has been an effective tool against such “exceptional” crimes that pose a grave threat to the country’s security.

“Unfortunately, there are still certain crimes that are not covered under the said exceptional cases, which put not only the lives and property of our people in paramount danger, but also pose a grave threat to our nation’s security,” Lacson noted.

“The peace and order situation in the country gives testament to this fact, and thus, it is imperative to revisit RA 4200 to further enhance its effectiveness," he said.

Lacson filed “An Act Expanding the Scope and Coverage of Republic Act No. 4200 Otherwise Known as an Act to Prohibit and Penalize Wiretapping and Other Related Violations of the Privacy and Communication, and for Other Purposes” weeks before the opening of the 20th Congress. 

The bill primarily seeks to include the following crimes in the list of offenses where law enforcement may conduct wiretapping activities or intercept private communications, with proper court approval:

* coup d'etat

* conspiracy and proposal to commit coup d'etat

* robbery in band

* brigandage or highway robbery

* violations of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002)

* violations of RA 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001)

Furthermore, the bill also requires a written permit from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) prior to the sale or importation of any equipment for wiretapping.

Under the bill, acquisition of wiretapping equipment will be subjected to limited source bidding or direct contracting by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

If enacted into law, violators will face six to 12 years in jail and a fine of P1 to P5 million; those who manufacture, assemble, sell, import, distribute or dispose wiretapping equipment face three to six years in jail and a fine of P500,000 to P2 million - and perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a public official.