Social media registration a last-minute insertion by Drilon, says House panel chair

The provision on social media registration cited by President Rodrigo Duterte in vetoing the subscriber identity mobile (SIM) card registration bill was a last-minute insertion by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, one of the principal authors of the measure at the House of Representatives said.

Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian said that while he wants the measure to become a law, he agrees with President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to veto it.

“Unfortunately, the last-minute insertion of Sen. Drilon to include the registration of social media providers is totally not in line with the essence of this bill,” he said.

“There is nothing in the bill specifying how to register such a broad environment (internet). Though equally important, that provision should have been studied further and filed as a separate bill,” he added.

Gatchalian was referring to a provision that requires all social media networks to ask for the real name and phone number of users upon the creation of their accounts.

The proposed measure mandates all public telecommunications entities to require the registration of SIM cards as a prerequisite to their sale and activation.  This aims to curb fraud and other crimes aided by SIM cards.

Earlier, Malacañang announced its veto owing to the said provision on social media registration, saying such requires proper guidelines and definition.

GMA News Online sought Drilon’s comment but has yet to respond as of posting time.—With Anna Felicia Bajo/LDF, GMA News