Senate panel approves bill criminalizing ‘hoax ordering’

The Senate Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship Committee finalized the bill that criminalizes “hoax ordering” to protect delivery riders from bogus transactions.

Senate Bill 2302 was filed on June 28 as a substitute to Committee Report No. 273 produced by the Senate panel chaired by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

The bill seeks to criminalize the placing of hoax orders, cancellation of confirmed orders, and refusal to receive unpaid orders.

The proposed measure also penalizes the act of using another person’s personal information when registering for any food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service.

SB 2302 also prohibits food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service application providers from requiring their delivery riders and drivers to advance money for the fulfillment of orders.

These delivery application providers are likewise required to establish a mandatory reimbursement scheme in favor of delivery riders and drivers in case of cancellation of confirmed orders.

“We need a law protecting our delivery riders and drivers. It is very timely and relevant. Even after the pandemic, this measure will be relevant because we have now grown accustomed to online services,” said Pimentel.

Moreover, SB 2302 requires the implementation of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules which will require the submission and verification of proof of identity and residential address of customers, subject to compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

“The recent incidents of fake booking and hoax orders are quite alarming. Those acts must be criminalized. Nagtatrabaho ang ating mga riders nang maayos. Yung iba ay inaabot pa ng madaling araw sa kalye para kumita ng pera. Hindi sila dapat linoloko,” he underscored.

(There riders are working hard. Some of them are even on the streets during the wee hours just to earn money. They should not be fooled.)

— DVM, GMA News