Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

H.B.No.__616

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Scams, hoaxes and false advertising have been around since Jacob tricked his brother
Esau into selling him his birthright (Gen. 25: 29-34). So how do buyers ever trust sellers - and
how do sellers gain that trust? Who sets the standards, and who enforces them? Over time,
consumers, businesses and the government have developed ways of protecting themselves
and maintaining standards in business and advertising. Henceforth, the need for the enactment
of an all-encompassing bill of rights for consumers is necessitated by the times.

Protecting consumers is a task that challenges government as well as private sector
people concerned with preventing Filipinos from all walks of life from being victimized by
unscrupulous manufacturers and merchants.

Rich or poor, shoppers need consumer protection. And shoppers themselves must
realize that they face a challet.ge. Dishonest promos, substandard products and overpriced
merchandises are just some of the nightmarish occurrences that could ruin one’s shopping
spree. f

A reason for the need to enact this law is very basic to the eyes. Consumer protection
can only be made through the government exercising its regulatory powers as such, not only for
show of power, but mostly, for the exercise of authority.

Henceforth, the passage of this law is earnestly sought, for the purpose of enacting
legislation to protect consumers.

JUAN EDGARDO/SONNY® Ml, ANGARA

Representative
Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
616
H.B.No.

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
ORDAINING A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE FILIPINO CONSUMERS

Be jit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as “The Consumers’ Bill of Rights."
‘SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles. \t is hereby declared the policy of the State:

To promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide
adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved

quality of life for all

For the Congress to give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect
and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political
inequities, and remove cultural inequalities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for
the common good :

To better protect and enhance the rights of consumers

SEC. 3. Consumers’ Basic Rights. The following are the basic rights of the consumers
in the Philippines:

1. The Right to basic needs;

2. The Right to safety;

3. The Right to information;

4. The Right to choose;

5. The Right to representation;

6. The Right to redress:

7. The Right to consumer education; and
8. The Right to a healthy environment


SEC. 4, The Right to Basic Needs. The right to basic needs shall mean the basic
consumer right prompts the government to ensure the availability to consumers of basic and

prime commodities at affordable prices and of good quality.

SEC. 5. The Right to Safety. The right to safety shall mean the right of consumers to
be protected from the marketing of goods or services that are hazardous to health and life. The
undertaking of extensive safety and performance testing of products before being sold, and the
placing of labels and proper product information about the product's use and operation, and
warnings about precautions to be taken if any are enjoined on manufacturers and sellers,

SEC. 6. The Right to Information. The right fo information requires manufacturers and
sellers to provide complete information about a product being sold including, but,not limited to,
its use, ingredients or chemical contents, precautions, limitations, and manufacturing and expiry
dates,

SEC. 7. The Right to Choose. - The right to choose shall mean the right to choose
products with competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

SEC. 8. The Right to Representation. The right to representation shall mean the right
of consumers to express their interests in the making and execution of government policies.

SEC. 9. The Right to Redress. The right to redress shall mean the right of consumers
to be compensated for misrepresentation substandard goods, or unsatisfactory services.

SEC. 10. The Right to Consumer Education. The right to consumer education shall
mean the right of the consumer to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become an
informed customer.

SEC. 11. The Right to a Healthy Environment. The right to a healthy environment
shall mean the right to live and work in an environment that is neither threatening nor
dangerous, and permits a life of dignified well-being.

SEC. 12. Duties of the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Trade
and Industry shall be tasked with the implementation, enforcement and dissemination of
information as to this Act accordingly. Provided, that criminal, civil and administrative liabilities
shall be imposed upon failure to abide by the provisions of this Act. Provided, that the
Department of Trade and Industry and its branch offices in the provinces, cities and
municipalities shall have jurisdiction over grievances of consumers over the provisions of this
‘Act. Provided, further, that in the absence of branch offices in provinces, cities and
municipalities, the local government units shall establish such centers whereby grievances of
consumers may be brought forth, and which grievances shall be made known to the Department
of Trade and Industry for proper action.


SEC, 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days after the
effectivity of this Act, the following shall convene for the purpose of formulating the
implementing rules and regulations, to convene everyday for the purpose of formulating the said
rules until such time that the implementing rules and regulations have been formulated.
Provided, that the failure to produce the implementing rules and regulation within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act shall not hinder the implementation of this Act.

1, A representative from the Executive Department;

2. A representative from the Legislative Department;

3. The Secretary of Trade and Industry;

4. A representative from the consumers sector;

5. A representative from the manufacturers sector; and
6. A representative from the sellers sector.

The implementing rules and regulations shall focus on the better implementation of the
bill of rights for the consumers, and shall create a grievance by which establishments offering
services to consumers, whether in a manufacturing, production, or service concern, shall make
available to consumers grievance machineries in the soonest possible time wherein violations of
the bill of rights of consumers may be made known.

SEC. 14. Penalties. The imposition of criminal, civil, and administrative sanctions for
the violation of this act shall be imposed on any private individuals and public officials who shall
violate the same, to be determined in the implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or

modified accordingly.

SEC.16. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general.

Approved,