A lawmaker has moved to increase the penalties against unscrupulous traders and business establishments who are robbing consumers of their hard-earned money.
Rep. Anthony G. del Rosario of the First District of Davao del Norte made the proposal contained in House Bill 5472, which amends Republic Act 7394, also known as the “Consumer Act of the Philippines.”
Del Rosario said the penalties provided for in the present law are somewhat ineffective.
“Everyday new violations are being committed to the detriment of the consumers who are robbed in broad daylight of their hard-earned money. When such penalty is being used on a regular basis against recidivists who violate the law, then perhaps such penalty is not working,” del Rosario said.
Del Rosario said it is imperative that stiffer penalties be imposed in order to establish an environment that will provide better and greater protection for the consumers.
“Increasing the penalties will encourage conduct and behavior geared toward the observance of our consumer laws for the benefit of the consumers and for businesses to compete efficiently and fairly. This is a timely reform that will give more teeth to our current statute in order to put heavier burden to those who violate it, provide redress to those whose rights are injured and enable those who implement it,” del Rosario said
The bill amends Article 19 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, which imposes a P1,000, but not more than P10,000 fine or imprisonment of not less than two months but not more than one year on any person who is found guilty of violating any provision of Article 18.
Under the bill, del Rosario proposed to impose a P50,000 fine but not more than P1 million, or imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than seven years.
Article 41 of Republic Act 7394 is also amended by increasing the years of imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than five years to not less than three years but not more than seven years and a fine of P50,000 but not more than P1 million from not less than P5,000 but not more than P10,000.
Furthermore, the measure amends Articles 47, 60, 65, 73, 95, 107 and 123 all increasing the penalties to P50,000 but not more than P1 million.