Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has introduced a new bill that aims to permanently ban public telecommunications entities and internet service providers from setting expiration dates on prepaid load credits.
According to De Lima, the current system places an unfair burden on subscribers by forcing them to consume their bought load or mobile data within a specific timeframe or risk losing it.
“It is unfair and inequitable to put expiration dates on prepaid load credits, as it forces consumers to use up their load or data prematurely to avoid forfeiting them. Lugi sa sistemang ito ang ating mga consumers na napipilitang ubusin ang load para lang hindi masayang,” De Lima said.
The lawmaker questioned the logic behind taking away mobile credits that subscribers have already bought and rightfully own.
“Malinaw na hindi ito makatarungan sa mga consumers. Bakit may expiration ang paggamit ng load na binili na nila at pagmamay-ari na nila?” she asked.
Known as the Prepaid Load Forever Act (House Bill No. 9903), the proposed legislation draws inspiration from Senate Bill No. 1095, which was introduced by Senate President Win Gatchalian.
The bill seeks to outlaw the practices of putting expiration limits on unused prepaid credits, seizing remaining balances on active accounts, and rejecting legitimate refund requests for forfeited credits.
However, House Bill No. 9903 includes a specific rule for dormant accounts—classified as those left completely inactive for at least one year. Under this clause, telecommunications firms would be permitted to charge a ₱1 daily maintenance fee against the inactive balance until it runs out, after which they can reclaim and recycle the mobile number.
Currently, under a 2017 Joint Memorandum Circular enforced by the NTC, DICT, and DTI, all prepaid load credits are given a uniform validity period of one year, regardless of the purchase value.
De Lima emphasized that telecommunications operators must respect consumer rights instead of prioritizing corporate earnings over public welfare.
“Telecom companies should help protect consumer rights, and must not engage in practices that exploit consumers for the sake of profit. Mahalaga ang serbisyo ng telekomunikasyon lalo na sa mga panahong ito, pero hindi ito lisensya para lamangan at pagsamantalahan ang consumers,” De Lima said.
“The State may justly and responsibly intervene in the best interests of the people, as this legislation does in safeguarding the assets of millions of Filipino consumers, while supporting the expansion of the digital economy in underserved populations,” she added.