The Mandaue City Council has moved to strengthen its campaign against cybercrime and online fraud by proposing a ban on the sale, purchase, distribution, and transfer of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.
The council approved on first reading Draft Ordinance No. 102-2026, authored by Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, which seeks to reinforce the implementation of Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act through additional local regulations and penalties.
The proposed measure aims to penalize individuals and establishments involved in the illegal trade of pre-registered SIM cards within Mandaue City.
“Atong gi-regulate ang pagbaligya aning mga pre-registered nga SIM cards, para dili siya magamit sa mga naay purpose mubuhat og daotan,” Del Mar said in an interview with reporters.
Del Mar said the ordinance adopts the provisions of the national law but adds local measures, including penalties for individuals who purchase pre-registered SIM cards.
“We added to penalize the buyer kay sa national law wala may buyer didto. (Pero) wala may seller kung walay buyer. Kung walay demand, walay supply,” she said.
The councilor said reports of pre-registered SIM cards being sold in the city prompted the filing of the proposed ordinance.
“Kung ako buyer ko, why buy a SIM nga naka-pre-register na, nga pwede ra man gyud nga kita ang mu-register,” Del Mar said.
She added that acquiring a SIM card that is already registered under another person’s identity may indicate possible intent to use it for unlawful activities.
“There is already an intent. That’s why we created an ordinance based on some reports nga naa nay namaligya og pre-registered SIMs,” she said.
Under the proposed ordinance, a pre-registered SIM card refers to a SIM card that has already been registered or activated before being sold, transferred, or distributed to another user. This includes SIM cards registered using another person’s identity, false information, fictitious details, or the identity of the seller.
The measure would cover public telecommunications entities, authorized dealers, distributors, retailers, agents, resellers, business establishments, online sellers, and individuals involved in the sale or purchase of SIM cards within the city.
Among the acts prohibited under the proposed ordinance are selling or distributing activated SIM cards that are already registered, helping register SIM cards using false or stolen identities, knowingly purchasing pre-registered SIM cards, possessing such SIM cards for resale, and transferring ownership without complying with existing national regulations.
The ordinance also prohibits individuals and establishments from refusing inspections conducted by authorized city personnel.
Del Mar said the measure is intended to help prevent crimes linked to the misuse of anonymously registered SIM cards, including online scams, identity theft, fraud, and other cyber-related offenses.
The proposed ordinance cites the city’s police powers under the Local Government Code, saying stronger local monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are needed to support national efforts against SIM-related crimes.
If approved, authorized dealers and retailers would only be allowed to sell deactivated SIM cards and must inform buyers that activation can only happen after proper registration.
Retailers would also be required to display notices informing customers that the sale and purchase of pre-registered SIM cards are prohibited under Republic Act No. 11934 and the proposed city ordinance.
Enforcement of the measure would be led by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) in coordination with the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The agencies would be tasked to conduct inspections, investigate complaints, monitor online marketplaces, and recommend sanctions against establishments found violating the ordinance.
Under the proposed penalties, business establishments, dealers, distributors, retailers, and resellers found violating the ordinance may face a P5,000 fine and immediate suspension of their business permits, subject to revocation after due process.
Individuals who buy, sell, or possess pre-registered SIM cards for resale may face a P5,000 fine, imprisonment of 30 days to six months, or both, depending on the court’s decision.
The measure will undergo further deliberation before it can proceed to second and final reading.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Star
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