A partylist lawmaker has proposed a measure prohibiting telecommunications companies from sending unsolicited materials such as ads and promotional messages to mobile phone subscribers via SMS.

Rep. Lorna Velasco (AMA, partylist) said these messages sent by SMS or short messaging service have led to higher monthly bills for mobile phone subscribers without them realizing it.

“On the other hand, some ads and promos sent as text messages may be free but they still intrude into the privacy of consumers,”  she said. 

In filing House Bill 4510 which seeks to ban telecommunications providers from sending unsolicited messages, Velasco noted that the Congress has a role to protect consumers from the “inappropriate practices of telecom companies.”

Under HB 4510, 

unsolicited materials include advertisements, offerings, promotions, subscriptions and other notifications sent via SMS to mobile phone subscribers.

The measures penalizes violators with a fine of P20,000 to P100,000 per violation.