Consumer Protection

Sen. Bam calls for review of TRAIN amid inflation, rising prices

A senator insisted on evaluating the government tax reform program as he expressed alarm over the latest inflation projections on top of the rising prices of petroleum products and rice in the market.

“Nakakaalarma na para sa mga pamilya ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Ngayon, mas mataas pa sa inaasahan ng pamahalaan ang inflation rate,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to several projections that the inflation rate might range from 4.2 percent to 4.8 percent due to higher excise tax. 

 The latest projections were beyond the government’s forecast of between two to four percent, according to Sen. Bam.

“We should evaluate the tax reform law and consider suspending excise taxes given the surge in prices,” added Sen. Bam, who plans to file a resolution to assess the real impact on inflation and economy of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 “Congress should determine the real and actual impact of TRAIN on the economy and especially on the lives of Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the sharp rise in inflation could lead to a higher cost of living and can aggravate poverty. 

 “The continued implementation of TRAIN could lead to greater marginalization and suffering for many Filipino families,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

During the Senate hearings on TRAIN, Sen. Bam said the Department of Finance (DOF) insisted that the tax reform program’s inflationary impact would not be higher than 0.7 percent, meaning inflation should not go higher than 3.6 percent in 2018.

“We have to review the implementation of excise taxes as it was passed by Congress based on wrong information,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam voted to reject the TRAIN Law during its ratification. 

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

Sen. Bam expects surge in price of rice, renews call to replace NFA administrator

Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his call for the resignation of top National Food Authority (NFA) officials for their incompetence that led to the total depletion of its rice reserve in the market, forcing Filipino families to settle for costly rice in the market.

“Lalong tataas ang presyo ng bigas ngayong ubos na ang stock ng NFA Rice. Napipilitan nang magbawas ng kanin ang mga karaniwang Pilipino, at posibleng isang beses kada araw na lang ang paghain nila ng kanin para sa pamilya,” Sen. Bam said in reaction to reports that the NFA’s rice reserve is completely gone.

“Hinahayaan lang ng NFA na lumaki ang problema na dulot ng kanilang kapalpakan. Dapat lang na palitan na ang NFA administrator at magtakda ng bagong pinuno na may kakayahang solusyunan ito,” added Sen. Bam.

 During a Senate hearing on the NFA rice problem, NFA administrator Jason Aquino admitted that the agency has failed to comply with the 15-day buffer stock policy for almost one year. This inefficiency resulted in the increase in prices of rice, forcing Filipino families to spend more for their staple food.

“Ang 35 pesos per kilo ng bigas noon, 45 pesos na ngayon. Limandaang piso ang dagdag nito sa gastusin ng pamilyang Pilipino kada buwan kung isang kilong bigas ang kanilang nakokonsumo bawat araw. Nangyari ito dahil sa kapabayaan ng NFA sa kanilang tungkulin,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the NFA and the NFA Council to iron out their differences and address the lack of supply of NFA Rice in the market so as to spare the public from high prices of rice in the market.

Sen. Bam repeats call for immediate financial assistance for Filipinos amid rapid rise in prices

Alarmed by the rapid increase in prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, Sen. Bam Aquino renewed his push for the immediate implementation of financial assistance to poor Filipinos. 

“This is the reason I keep pushing for the immediate implementation of financial assistance. Alam na namin ang kahihinatnan ng tax reform ng nagbotohan, kaya ako kumontra sa TRAIN,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam’s pronouncement came after the country’s inflation rate reached four percent, the highest in four years, due to the effects of the TRAIN Law. 

Republic Act No. 10963 mandates financial assistance to 10 million poor Filipinos to counter the expected increase in prices of goods. In 2018, they will receive P200 monthly followed by a P300 monthly cash subsidy in 2019 and 2010.   

 During the measure’s period of amendments in the Senate, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the financial assistance program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services. However, Sen. Bam’s proposal was not accepted.  

 “The government is failing the Filipino people, especially the impoverished. We must implement a sufficient financial assistance program immediately to cushion the blow of TRAIN and the price increases,” Sen. Bam said.   

 Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services. 

 Sen. Bam is also calling on the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to check if household incomes are enough to absorb these rising costs. 

“Gusto rin natin alamin kung sapat na ang 200 pesos kada buwan na cash transfer, lalo na ngayong tumataas na rin ang presyo ng kuryente at bigas,” said Sen. Bam.   

Sen. Bam is the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and passed several measures to provide livelihood by supporting small, local businesses in the country. He is also the principal sponsor of the free college law passed last year.  

Sen. Bam voted no to the ratification of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Explanation of No-Vote for TRAIN Ratification

First of all, Mr. President, let me just say that my no vote at the ratification is by no means an indication of the leadership and the diligence of our Chairman. Our Chairman worked very hard for this bill, and I believe he really did his best to come up with the best version that he could, with the circumstances given to him.

However, Mr. President, if I I could explain my vote, the DOF knows that there was really one major provision or one major aspect of this bill that was important to this representation. At yun, Mr. President, yung epekto ng batas na ito sa napakaraming mahihirap sa ating bansa.

Totoo po, Mr. President, merong 6 million Filipinos ang matutulungan ng batas na ito. 6 million Filipinos, in fairness, Mr. President, and will congratulate this portion of the bill, will go to the larger take-home pay. However, Mr. President, in the records of the Department of Finance, in their deliberations, in their presentations to the individual senators, lumalabas po talaga na dahil sa pagtaas ng bilihin, we’re looking at the bottom 40% of the Filipino people who will carry the brunt of the tax reform because of the increase in prices.

Now, Mr. President, a lot of us have raised this issue. At yung na-mention po ng DOF na tulong sa ating mga kababayan ang unconditional cash transfer. In short, Mr. President, yung pang-balanse sa napakaraming pamilyang Pilipinong naghihirap dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, at yung pagbibigay ng 200, or- ngayon po 200 pero initially in the Senate version 300 pesos per month na tulong, financial assistance to the bottom, roughly 10 million families to help them with the increase in prices because of the tax reform. Mr. President, with that assertion, marami po sa atin, napanatag ang kalooban.

However, Mr. President, lumabas po doon sa ating interpolation, at lumabas po doon sa ating pananaliksik ng DOF at ng iba pang mga ahensya, na hindi po kayang i-implement ang programang iyon na kasabay sa pagtaas ng presyo ng ating bilihin.

And Mr. President, yun po siguro yung isang bagay na para sa akin, hindi ko pwedeng suportahan ang batas na ito kung hindi maisasabay  ang tulong na pinansyal sa ating mga kababayan doon sa pagtaas ng taxes ng napakaraming produkto sa ating bansa. And I hope, Mr. President, this no-vote will spur our agencies to work faster, and this is, of course, DOF, DSWD, and other concerned agencies, na sana po, hindi gaya ng sabi nila, na hindi kayang isabay ang programa doon po sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Sana po mahanapan pa po nila ng paraan, na sa madaling panahon, masabay po nila yung programang tulong na pinansyal sa mga kababayan natin doon po sa pagtaas ng taxes sa napakaraming presyo, sa napakaraming bilihin sa ating bansa. And because of that, Mr. President, I, unfortunately, cannot support this measure. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bam: Consumer Act amendments to give DTI more teeth, cover ICT

In a move to give the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) more teeth against erring businesses and enhance consumer protection, Sen. Bam Aquino has filed a measure amending the 24-year-old Consumer Act of the Philippines.
 
“In order to build stronger commercial systems and maintain thriving markets, there is a need to bolster the rights of consumers and we need to do this at the soonest possible time,” Sen. Bam said in Senate Bill No. 1241 or the Revised Consumer Act of the Philippines.
 
“The measure aims to amend the 1992 Act in order to address the current issues facing our consumers and markets,” added Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress.
 
If enacted into law, the measure gives the DTI authority to close down any establishment caught in the act of selling, distributing, manufacturing, producing, displaying or importing hazardous and defective products.
 
It also increases administrative fines against erring businesses from P50,000 up to P10 million. The current law imposes a fine of P500 to P300,000.
 
“The fines should amount to five percent of the gross value of sales of the consumer product or service subject to the consumer complaint,” he stressed.
 
The amendments include provision for new information and communications technologies (ICT), such as mobile phones and internet, which is crucial with the advent of the e-commerce industry.
 
In addition, the bill provides greater protection to consumers, particularly from false and deceptive advertising using mobile phones and the Internet.
 
“Proposed provisions in this measure also aim to better protect consumers from dangerous and unsafe products and abusive sales practice,” said Sen. Bam.
 
The proposal also reiterates the eight consumer rights (rights to basic needs, safety, basic information, choose, representation, redress, consumer education and healthy environment) and five consumer responsibilities (critical awareness, action, social concern, environmental awareness and solidarity).
 
Furthermore, the measure mandates manufacturers to maintain a consumer hotline or service center that consumers can easily reach for complaints and inquiries by phone, email or other effective means.
 
In addition, foreign products with labels written in foreign characters or language will be allowed entry into the country only if they have a corresponding English or Filipino translation.
 
The measure will place the National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC) under the Office of the DTI Secretary to give it more independence and power.
 
It will also be expanded to include the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Information and Communication Technology. 
  
Businesses offering price-discounted rates for single or bulk purchase of products or services will be exempted from the requirement to secure a sales promotion permit , alleviating them of the added burden. This move will help to facilitate e-commerce in the country.

 

Bam: Guard vs proliferation of substandard Christmas lights, other products

With the Christmas season fast approaching, Sen. Bam Aquino called on concerned government agencies to prevent the proliferation of substandard Christmas lights and other products that endanger the lives of consumers.

“Dahil malapit na naman ang panahon ng kapaskuhan, asahan na ang pagdagsa ng mga produktong depektibo na maaaring magdulot ng panganib sa ating mga mamimili, gaya na lang ng hindi sertipikadong Christmas lights,” said Sen. Bam.

“Ngayon pa lang, kailangan nang bantayan ng mga kaukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang mga nasabing produkto upang hindi na makarating pa sa ating mga mamimili,” added Sen. Bam.

During his stint as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam conducted spot inspection in several stores in Metro Manila to ensure the safety of Christmas lights being sold in the market.

Last year, Sen. Bam and a team from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) found boxes of substandard Christmas lights in Divisoria and Dapitan.

Sen. Bam also visited several supermarkets and stores to check if there was enough supply and if they were following the suggested retail price (SRP) issued by the DTI for Noche Buena goods.

Sen. Bam appealed to traders to be responsible in selling goods and to follow the SRP released by the DTI.

“Nananawagan din tayo sa ating mga mamimili na huwag tangkilikin ang mga produkto na mababa ang kalidad dahil sa halip na tayo’y makamura, nalalagay pa sa panganib ang ating mga buhay,” the senator stressed.

The lawmaker has been pushing to add more teeth to Republic Act (RA) 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines to empower and protect citizens more against substandard goods and services.

He is set to file amendments to the Consumer Act next week.

Sufficient Change for Consumers has Come

Consumers can better demand for sufficient change from establishments now that Republic Act 10909 or the No Shortchanging Act lapsed into law last July 21, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
Sen. Bam sponsored the measure penalizing establishments that shortchange consumers in the 16th Congress, during his term as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
 
In his sponsorship speech, Sen. Bam said the Act aims to promote a culture of decency, integrity, and professionalism among Filipino businesses.
 
By giving consumers what they are due, down to the last centavo, Sen. Bam said it breeds the values of precision and fairness that should permeate through all Filipino businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 
“Naniniwala tayo na madadala at mapakikinabangan ng mga negosyanteng Pilipino ang kasanayang ito kapag lumaki at lumago ang kanilang negosyo,” Sen. Bam said.
 
The bill penalizes first-time violators with a 500-peso fine while the second offense will warrant a three-month suspension of the establishment’s license to operate along with a fine of 15,000 pesos.
 
The third violation will result in the revocation of the establishment’s license to operate and a fine of 25,000 pesos.
 
However, the law allows establishments to give more than the exact change, if situation calls for it.
 
With its passage, Sen. Bam now has 16 laws to his name, including the Philippine Competition Act, Go Negosyo Act, Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, Lemon Law, Microfinance NGOs Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act and Credit Surety Act.
 
As chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam co-authored and co-sponsored the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act, the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision.
 
In addition, Sen. Bam authored or co-authored other laws, such as the Act Authorizing Punong Barangay to Administer Oath of any Government Official, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Election Service Reform Act, Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, Tax Relief for PWDs Act, Closed Caption Broadcasting for Television Act and the law establishing the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Sen. Bam Aquino on the PLDT, Globe anti-trust issue

It’s unfortunate that a legal battle has ensued even before the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has made a decision. Now we wait for the proper judicial process to take its course.

Ultimately, the landmark Philippine Competition Act was created to benefit our citizens. In the end, we need to make sure that Filipino consumers have access to improved internet services.

Bam: Consumers now Protected against Shortchanging

Consumers will soon be protected against shortchanging with the bicameral conference committee’s approval of the measure penalizing establishments that shortchange consumers, according to the bill’s primary sponsor Sen. Bam Aquino.

The bicameral conference committee recently consolidated the versions of both houses. After both houses ratify the bicameral conference committee report, the bill will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Aquino’s signature.

The measure, known as the No Shortchanging Act, aims to promote consumer protection and the continued professionalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“This measure will require that price tags reflect the exact price to remind customers to make sure they aren’t shortchanged,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The measure prohibits the giving of insufficient or no change and the giving of change in any form other than money, such as candy or other items.

The bill penalizes first-time violators with a 500-peso fine while the second offense will warrant a three-month suspension of the establishment’s license to operate along with a fine of 15,000 pesos.

The third violation will result in the revocation of the establishment’s license to operate and a fine of 25,000 pesos.

In his sponsorship speech, Sen. Bam said the measure promotes a culture of weaving decency, integrity, and professionalism among Filipino entrepreneurs.

The senator emphasized that giving consumers what they are due, down to the last centavo, breeds a culture of precision and fairness that should permeate through all Filipino businesses.

“Naniniwala tayo na madadala at mapakikinabangan ng mga negosyanteng Pilipino ang kasanayang ito kapag lumaki at lumago ang kanilang negosyo,” Sen. Bam said.

If approved by President Aquino, this will be Sen. Bam’s 10th law for the 16th Congress.

Bam Eyes Heavier Fines, Penalties Against Erring Telcos

As part of his advocacy for better Internet speed in the country, a senator wants to impose heavier fines and penalties on telecommunication entities that will violate all forms of directives from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 3208 eyes to amend outdated provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Law to make it attuned to present times, giving NTC more teeth in dealing with erring telecommunication companies.

In his measure, Sen. Bam wants erring telecom firms fined between P300,000 to P5 million for every day, per violation of any certificate,  authority, resolution or regulation of the NTC.

The bill also empowers NTC to increase amount of fine every five years, subject to a certification from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

Previously, the law imposes a measly fine of P200 per day for erring telecommunication companies.

Also, the measure also empowers NTC to impose a P300-million fine on public telecommunication entities that will perform any forbidden action or neglect or fail to perform required act.

“With heavier penalties, NTC can expect greater compliance from Internet providers to standards and regulations that have been set to advance Internet quality in the Philippines,” Sen. Bam said.

If enacted into law, Sen. Bam sees the measure will help improve the country’s slow and expensive Internet, which leaves millions of Filipinos collectively frustrated.

“Being the fastest growing economy in the ASEAN, this is clearly unacceptable and measures to improve our Internet quality while driving down is cost must be prioritized,” said Sen.Bam.

Sen. Bam also called on stakeholders to band together to create a framework for the constant improvement of the country’s Internet system for the benefit of all Filipinos, especially those engaged in commerce.

“When it comes to public services, we must do more than just keep up with the development of our neighbors, but exceed them. Let us band together to significantly improve Internet service in the Philippines,” said Sen. Bam.

For two years, Sen. Bam has been pushing for faster and cheaper Internet service, as he believes it will create jobs and livelihood and make the country more competitive.

 

READ MORE ABOUT SBN 3208

 

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