Senate OKs on final reading bill criminalizing ‘hoax ordering’

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the bill which seeks to criminalize “hoax ordering” in a bid to protect delivery riders from bogus transactions.

With 23-0-0 votes, Senate Bill 2302 or the proposed Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Service Act got the senators’ final nod.

The bill seeks to prohibit 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.

In case of cancellation of confirmed orders, the food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service provide shall still pay the delivery riders or drivers for the service fee due them, considering the transaction as successful. The firm would be responsible for pursuing claims for collections from customers who cancelled orders.

Violators of these prohibited acts may face arresto mayor and/or fine of at most P100,000 and revocation of their licenses and permits.

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. — RSJ, GMA News