Marcos pushes for bill to regulate e-commerce activities

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday asked the Senate to enact a measure that would regulate internet commercial activities and ensure the protection of consumers who engage in online transactions.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos listed the Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law as one of his priority legislative measures under the 19th Congress.

“[It] aims to establish an effective regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means to ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected, innovation is encouraged, fair advertising practices and competition are promoted, online transactions are secured, intellectual property rights are protected, and product standards and safety are observed,” he said.

In 2020, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 7805, or the Internet Transactions Act which would create the Electronic Commerce Bureau to manage e-commerce activities that are currently not being regulated.

The measure primarily also aims to promote and maintain a robust e-commerce environment in the country and build trust between online sellers and buyers through secure and reliable e-commerce platforms.

It also seeks to establish an effective regulation of e-commerce activities to protect consumer rights and data privacy, as well as to encourage innovation and fair advertising practices. — DVM, GMA News