Bill to protect online sellers, buyers filed

Alay Buhay Partylist Representative Wes Gatchalian: Seeks to protect online sellers and buyers. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Alay Buhay Partylist Representative Wes Gatchalian has filed a bill that seeks to protect online sellers and buyers.

In a statement, Gatchalian said House Bill 2535 “seeks to address concerns on state regulations on the online industry, payment options and secrecy of data obtained from the consumers, more transparency from traders and seeks to eliminate hidden transaction costs, delivery problems, cancellation of order, refund against cancellation and payment issues.”

Gatchalian noted that in the Philippines, online shopping is growing considering that there are at least 33.6 million Internet users in the Philippines and the number continues to grow.

House Bill 2535 in its declared policy provides that “it is the policy of the State to protect the interests of consumers, promote his general welfare and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry for online shopping.”

The proposed bill covers the Consumers, Service Providers and Third Party Sellers. Service Providers are required to register with the Department of Trade and Industry and to the Bureau of Internal Revenues like any other merchants with establishments.

Meanwhile, the Third Party Seller will be required to submit their identity, description of goods to be sold and proof of ownership.

The proposed bill requires the Service Provider and Third Party Seller enough guarantee to the Consumer by providing joint and several liabilities for consumer claims.

The proposed bill also says that an online promotion should include the price inclusive of applicable taxes, delivery cost, mode of payment, existence of consumers right of cancellation, duration of contract, after-sales service, guarantees and prohibits “data-pass used to facilitate deceptive Internet transaction” such as unauthorized disclosure of credit and debit card details, billing information, bank and other financial accounts.

Gatchalian said that if enacted into law, HB 2535 would strengthen the online industry in the country, boost the confidence of investors and consumers, and put order in the country’s online industry.