Senator Gatchalian: “Ito ang isa sa mga una kong ihahain ‘pag tayo ay nakabalik sa Senado. Pero …”
SENATOR SHERWIN GATCHALIAN — The senator has vowed to refile the proposed bill seeking the mandatory registration of all SIM (subscriber identity module) cards if he wins in the 2022 elections.
The senator, who was the author of Senate Bill 176 or An Act Requiring The Registration of All Users of Pre-Paid SIM Cards, issued the remark after President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the proposed bill.
Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said in a statement on Friday that the President believes the proposed bill needs further study.
READ ALSO: President Duterte Vetoes Proposed SIM Card Registration Act
In response to Andanar’s statement, the senator said that criminals have been abusing anonymity in order to carry out their illegal activities.
The proposed bill, according to the senator, seeks to promote accountability in the use of SIM cards and sets mechanisms that will make it difficult for criminals to commit mobile phone, internet, or electronic communication-aided criminal activities.
At the same time, the senator said that the proposed bill will help provide law enforcement agencies with tools to deter the commission of wrongdoings and come up with needed evidence trails that can easily lead to the resolution of cases.
Further, the senator said that there’s also a need to separate the legislation on social media from the same bill after a more thorough and comprehensive discussion.
“Ito ang isa sa mga una kong ihahain ‘pag tayo ay nakabalik sa Senado. Pero ihihiwalay ko ang panukala para sa social media para mas malalim at mas komprehensibo ‘yung detalye pagdating sa pagmamandato nito,” the senator said in a statement on Monday. “Aminado ako na ang social media ay nagagamit ngayon sa maraming hindi magagandang bagay. Unang una, yung mga troll, ako mismo nabiktima. Aatakihin ka at sisirain ang puri mo.”
READ ALSO: Senator Drilon Hits Back At Critics Of SIM Card Registration Bill After Duterte Veto
Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian earlier said that the provision on social media registration cited by President Duterte in vetoing the proposed bill was a “last-minute insertion” by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.
However, Senator Drilon disputed claims that the anti-troll provision that he introduced in the proposed bill was an out-of-topic provision nor a last-minute provision.
“It’s not a last-minute insertion. We studied it and introduced it in the Senate plenary as part of our humble contribution in the fight against trolls and fake news,” Drilon said on Saturday.
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