Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 26) — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the proposed Internet Transactions Act, which was certified urgent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Senate Bill 1846, which was included among the priority legislation of the administration, was passed during the last Monday of the session before the month-long congressional break.
The bill seeks to provide an effective regulation for consumer protection in business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions online.
The minority moved to block its immediate passage, saying only measures addressing a public calamity or emergency should be approved on second and third reading on the same day.
But the motion was lost as 20 senators voted to push through with the third reading approval.
“With a heavy heart, Mr. President, just to be consistent with our constitutional position that we don’t just issue presidential certification because it’s a priority, it might be a priority legislative measure of the president but it cannot be given the presidential certification of urgency and necessity under the Constitution,” said Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel.
“We can also counter-argue all of the scams that are happening now in the internet is an emergency,” said Senate President Miguel Zubiri in response.
Zubiri added that if enacted, the bill will build an environment of trust between online merchants and consumers, enhancing the growth of e-commerce in the country.
Other priority measures approved by the Senate include amendments to the Philippine Passport Act, the Ease of Paying Taxes bill, and the proposed Public-Private Partnerships law.
-With reports from CNN Philippines’ correspondent Eimor Santos
