Senator Gatchalian Proposes Amendments to SIM Registration Law to Combat Fraud

MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian is set to propose several amendments to the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Law to enhance protections against fraud and scams, particularly those perpetrated through registered SIM cards used in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the move to amend the law comes in response to the persistent misuse of SIM cards in facilitating various illegal activities, including financial scams and cybercrimes, despite existing regulations. The proposed amendments aim to introduce stricter controls on the number of SIMs an individual can register and to regulate the use of SIMs for marketing, promotions, political campaigns, and fundraising through SMS.

The current law, Republic Act 11934, also known as the SIM Registration Act, was enacted in October 2022 with the intention to curb the use of mobile technology in illegal activities. However, Gatchalian noted that fraudulent activities continue to thrive, particularly in POGO operations, which have been implicated in numerous online scams like love and cryptocurrency scams, leading to substantial financial losses for victims.

In light of these ongoing issues, and despite a presidential directive to ban all POGOs, Gatchalian stressed the need for legislative review and enhancement to effectively tackle the challenges posed by the illegal use of registered SIMs in such operations. As the chair of the Senate committee on ways and means, he has also initiated Senate Resolution 1054, which calls for an investigation into the use of SIMs in illegal POGO activities.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Gatchalian cited recent raids in POGO hubs in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga, where authorities seized hundreds of SIMs, cell phones, and other digital devices used in executing fraudulent schemes. These findings underscore the critical need for legislative updates to ensure that the objectives of the SIM Registration Act are fully realized.