MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law Republic Act No. 10515 or the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Tapping Act of 2013.
The law prohibits and penalizes the unauthorized interception, reception, or use of any signal or service over a cable television system or cable internet system and/or network.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said among the law's prohibited acts include intercepting or receiving, or assisting in intercepting or receiving "any signal offered over a cable television system or a cable internet system by tapping, making, or causing to be made any connection to an existing CATV system network or cable internet system or network without the authority of the concerned service provider."
"Dahil meron na nga po tayong cable internet ngayon, kailangan na rin pong gawing krimen 'yung pagta-tap o 'yung pagkakabit ng iligal na koneksyon doon sa cable internet service, doon sa sistemang ito," Valte said.
Offenders may face imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than five years or a fine of not less than P50,000 nor more than P100,000, or both.
The National Telecommunications Commission is expected to conduct public hearings and consult with CATV and cable internet service providers before issuing the law's implementing rules and regulations.
The President signed the law on April 17, 2013.
By Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
