DTI to online sellers defying price tag rule: You can be fined or imprisoned

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez on Saturday warned online sellers who continue to ignore the price tag policy on the items they sell online that they could face fines or imprisonment if proven guilty.

"Required po yung price tag doon sa mga items na yon.  Kaya ho hindi uubra yung walang presyong ilalagay," Lopez said at the Laging Handa briefing.

He said that customers have the right to choose the best products at reasonable prices.

"Yun po ya nakasaad sa batas (the law says so), he pointed out, adding that if they don't follow the law, they have no right to sell online.

Likewise he said the law is very strict on the price tag, especially for prime commodities.

Also, he said the DTI is in close coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation and the police to track the violators.

Some online sellers complained against the rule, saying that not putting price tags is their marketing strategy.

But Lopez insisted, "sa mga matitigas ang ulo, lalo na sa hindi paglagay ng price tag sa mga prime commodity, ay may multa po yun at maaari kayong makulong."

To customers, he said, "Dapat magsumbong kayo sa hotline 1384 upang matunton at mapuntahan natin yung mga ayaw sumunod."

Customers should call 1384 for their complaints about price tag violations. "Yan po ay panloloko at pede po sila (violators) masaampahan ng reklamo.

Price tags also indicates the authenticity and quality of the product. Kung ano yung specifications na sinasabi sa tag, dapat yun din ang dapat ibigay sa customers. 'Pag  'di nasunod itatawag nila sa 1384.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte warned against online sellers  taking advantage of their customers who are afraid to go out of their homes due to the pandemic.

He particularly mentioned those selling face masks. Under current health protocol, face masks are required for individuals going out of their houses either to buy essential items or report for work.

"Wag kayong bumili ng mga online-online na lalo na magpadala ka ng pera, I’d like to address this to everybody.  Ang iyo dyan is, i-deliver mo, tapos tignan mo yung maskara, kung hindi sangayon sa inorder mo, papasukin mo sa loob ‘yung nagdala ng mask, talian mo,” Duterte said. —LBG, GMA News