Law penalizing use of cell phones inside banks proposed

To curb crimes that prey on the banking industry, a lawmaker has proposed a law
banning and penalizing the use of cell phones and similar devices inside banks.
There is a real emerging security threats and challenges facing the nation that
include the use of modern technology for criminal activities, Rep. Gavini . !ancho "#
nd
$istrict, %ulacan& stressed.
!ancho is author of '% ()** entitled +n +ct banning the use of cellular phones or
similar devices inside banks and providing penalty for violation thereof, to be known as
the ell !hone in %anks !rohibition +ct of #),-.
The use of cell phones, laptops, palmtops, radio transmitters, and similar
e.uipment has been e/ploited for illicit activities, the author said.
+lthough there is no e/isting law on the sub0ect, !ancho noted that in the
!hilippines, as now the practice abroad, banks have opted to ban the use of cellular phones
and other similar devices while within the banking premises to avoid the e/change of
information among criminals.
'owever, in the !hilippines this security challenged has yet to be fully addressed
by e/isting legislation. The provisions of '% ()** shall cover all banks operating in the
country and apply to bank employees, customers and persons inside a banking
establishment, !ancho clarified.
'% ()** defines banking establishments as entities engaged in the lending of funds
obtained in the form of deposits, which includes 1niversal banks, Thrift banks, rural
banks, ooperative banks, 2slamic banks and other classifications of banks as determined
by the 3onetary %oard of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
1nder 4ection ( of the bill provides for the following prohibitions5
a& lients and other persons using their cellular phones or similar personal
communications devices will not be allowed inside banking premises, or if already inside,
will be directed to remove themselves from the premises6
b& 7ikewise use of personal communications devices by %ank employees is
prohibited in common areas in plain view of their clients and patrons6
c& %ank employees may use cell phones8electronic communication devices during
lunch or break periods or as authorized in private space away from all clients and common
work areas. !ersonal cell phones8electronic communication devices are to be silenced and
stored during working hours6
d& 9nly medical doctors and emergency health care practitioners will be allowed
NR # 3615
OCT. 10, 2014
use of such personal communication devices within bank premises when the use of such
personal communication device is related to the care of patients and other emergencies.
The bill:s penal provisions also state5 9ther than medical doctors and emergency
health care practitioners as .ualified under this +ct, persons who will refuse to abide by
%ank 3anagement or its security personnel and insist on using their cellular phones inside
banking establishments shall be punished by a fine not e/ceeding !,,))).)) and detention
in available detention facilities of the %arangay or !olice station that has 0urisdiction over
the geographical location of concerned banking establishment.
The bill likewise provides that any banking establishments must include the
provisions of this +ct in their respective employee manuals to guide their personnel
accordingly.
%anking staff that will be observed using their cellular phones within the area of
the bank in public view during official working hours must be immediately reported to the
manager and security guard on duty for appropriate action of the banking management,
the bill states.
;urthermore, any bank personnel who fails or refuses to comply with the
prohibitions provided in this +ct shall be punished by a fine of not less than !#,))).)) or
suspension, or both, if found guilty in an appropriate administrative investigation.
<egligence on the part of the bank:s management to check and act on erring personnel
will be similarly sanctioned with all application charges in violation of this +ct. "*)& dpt