Bill Gets Tough On Cell Phone Theft

[Mr Lee]

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=p...ics2_dec27_2008Bill gets tough on cell phone theft By Roy Pelovello A bill that seeks to impose stiffer penalty for the theft of cellular phones, laptops and other portable gadgets is close to becoming a law. This developed as the House committee on revision of laws chaired by Rep. Raul Gonzalez approved a measure making the offense punishable by life imprisonment. Last year, the Senate approved a related measure known as the Anti-Cellphone Snatching Bill, based on a proposal of Senator Richard Gordon. The House and Senate through the bicameral conference committee will have to come up with a common version that will serve as basis for the new law. Under House Bill 5409, theft or robbery of these portable gadgets that resulted in death of the victim would be punishable by life imprisonment. The bill also provides that the accused will not be allowed to avail himself of plea-bargaining and the privilege granted under the Probation Law. The measure is a substitute for House bills 3188 filed by Rep. Maria Evita Arago (Third District, Laguna) and HB 3265 filed by Deputy Speaker and Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar. Portable telecommunications devices as defined in the bill include cellular phones, personal digital assistants, portable computers, two-way very high frequency radios and other portable communication equipment utilized to transmit messages, documents, photo, images, videos or information through air, radio, or satellite frequencies. The law punishes theft with a maximum of 20 years if the value of stolen goods does not exceed P6,000. The punishment for robbery ranges from six months to 30 years if the convict also committed homicide during the robbery.

[tom_shor]

Now all they have to do is catch them.

[Mike S]

The law punishes theft with a maximum of 20 years if the value of stolen goods does not exceed P6,000 Yes but you can steal 8mil.p and everyone becomes blind ..... and with no witness there is no crime ....... just ask the cop that got away with murder here because there was no eyewitness ........ sure hope the murdered guys relatives fair the same if something should happen to the cop ...... but somehow I feel a witness would show up ....... even if he was blind ......

[Mik]

Under House Bill 5409, theft or robbery of these portable gadgets that resulted in death of the victim would be punishable by life imprisonment.I don't get it. Why another law? Isn't the penalty for murder life in prison anyway? Coincidentally, life in prison is also the penalty for cultivation of a single cannabis plant.

[Old55]