MARCH 15, 2012 DATE

NR # 2679B
REF. NO.

House passes bill penalizing cable television or cable internet pilferage

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill prohibiting and penalizing the pilferage and theft of cable television and internet connections. The bill seeks to protect the cable television (CATV) industry and the legitimate subscribers of the services it offers, The bill penalizes individuals culpable of the crime of illegal interception/reception of cable television systems and/or networks with imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or both. Under House Bill 709 otherwise known as The Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Act of 2012, the general public and legitimate operators of cable television (CATV) systems and/or networks and cable internet services shall be protected from unauthorized connection or tapping into existing facilities through wire or electromagnetic means. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), who authored House Bill 709 together with his brother Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-List, Abante Mindanao, Inc.), said only subscribers duly authorized and/or registered with the CATV and/or cable internet service operator shall be allowed to receive any service or benefit offered and/or operated over a CATV or internet system/network. Rodriguez said in this electronic age, the most popular media of communication that are affordable but highly informative that reach the great many regardless of status in life are cable television and internet. "Unfortunately, providers of CATV and internets are threatened by high incidence of theft through unauthorized interception of CATV programming or internet services. This has become a very serious issue that cable television and internet providers face today," Rodriguez said. Rep. Salvador Escudero III (1st District, Sorsogon), also an author of the bill, said the measure is meant to address the growing problem of signal or service theft of cable television and cable internet providers which has greatly prejudiced the development and improvement of their business. Prohibited under the act are the interception or reception of any signal or service offered over CATV and cable internet systems through unauthorized connection to existing CATVs facilities and the introduction of unauthorized importation, sale, lease,

MARCH 15, 2012 DATE

NR # 2679B
REF. NO.

distribution or possession of electronic equipment that allow for unauthorized access or decoding of unencrypted or encrypted satellite program signals or other electromagnetic signals. The bill also calls to penalize the wanton, malicious or willful destruction or removal of CATV and cable internet facilities and accessories of authorized CATV and cable internet service operators resulting into system disruption or network degradation. The National Telecommunications Commission and the Cable Television Associations in the Philippines are directed to conduct an information dissemination campaign about the measure. Co-authors of the bill are Reps. Ben Evardone (Lone District, Eastern Samar), Rodolfo Antonino (4th District, Nueva Ecija), Antonio Alvarez (1st District, Palawan), Christopher Co (Party-list, Ako Bicol), Rodel Batocabe (Party-list, Ako Bicol), Alfredo Garbin, Jr. (Party-list, Ako Bicol) and Daryl Grace Abayon (Party-list, Aangat Tayo). (30)
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