MANILA — Law enforcement agencies may soon be empowered to conduct wiretaps against suspects involved in serious crimes such as coup d’etat, drug trafficking, and money laundering if a bill filed by Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is enacted into law.

Lacson, a former police chief, said the measure seeks to expand the coverage of Republic Act No. 4200, or the Anti-Wiretapping Law, to include additional “exceptional crimes” that pose grave threats to national security.

“Unfortunately, there are still certain crimes that are not covered under the said exceptional cases, which put not only the lives and property of our people in paramount danger, but also pose a grave threat to our nation’s security,” Lacson said in his explanatory note. “It is imperative to revisit RA 4200 to further enhance its effectiveness.”

Under the bill, law enforcement may be allowed to conduct wiretapping operations—subject to court approval—for the following offenses:

• Coup d’etat
• Conspiracy and proposal to commit coup d’etat
• Robbery in band
• Brigandage or highway robbery
• Violations of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002)
• Violations of RA 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001)

The proposed law also seeks to regulate the importation, sale, and use of wiretapping equipment, which would require a written permit from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Procurement of such equipment by the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and Armed Forces of the Philippines would be restricted to limited source bidding or direct contracting.

Violators of the proposed law could face six to 12 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from ₱1 million to ₱5 million. Those who manufacture, import, or sell wiretapping devices without authorization may face three to six years in jail, a ₱500,000 to ₱2 million fine, and perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a government official.