EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
.Ofirri1 Ui i'1 
* 
'Plarf
S E N A T E
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lUL 16 All 51
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
PROHIBITING MERCHANDISING STORES AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS 
FROM CHARGING MORE THAN THE CASH RETAIL PRICE OF GOODS AND 
SERVICES PURCHASED WITH CREDIT CARDS AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES
FOR ANY VIOLATION THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Manufacturers and service providers, to suit their profit margins, enjoy the 
liberty of assigning monetary value over their own products. Consumers are equally 
free to choose whether or not to purchase these products. These mutual freedoms 
set up an uncomplicated relationship between consumer and business, allowing for a 
fair and easy exchange of money and product.
Over time, though, the use of credit cards has become more prevalent, 
complicating the business-and-consumer relationship. Many consumers resort to 
credit cards to purchase products they need immediately, but do not have enough 
cash to cover at once. Accordingly, stores and service providers have accommodated 
credit cards in their accepted methods of payment. But while these businesses are 
happy to profit off credit card holders, they refuse to take on the burden of processing 
credit charges. As a result, these businesses fall to the practice of imposing higher 
prices on consumers opting to use their credit cards. The consumer, then, is made to 
pay more than the assigned value for a product. This is a discriminatory practice, and 
alienates consumers who do not readily have the requisite amount of cash, but are 
sure to acquire it over time.
This bill seeks to protect consumers' rights to purchase products at their 
assigned value, regardless of their method of payment. This will build consumer trust, 
and translate to a more vibrant national economy.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently sought.
EL F. ZUBIRI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
■ 
« 9 ff■ ;*• o ( llu ’ C-' 
r '- T f
'19 JUL 16 All 52
Senate Bill No.
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT-
PROHIBITING MERCHANDISING STORES AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS 
FROM CHARGING MORE THAN THE CASH RETAIL PRICE OF GOODS AND 
SERVICES PURCHASED WITH CREDIT CARDS AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES
FOR ANY VIOLATION THEREOF
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1, 
It shall be unlawful for any merchandising store or service
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establishment to charge the customers more than the actual credit retail price of the
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goods and services purchased when such purchase is done with the use of a credit card
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and/or to list bargain sale items and services to cash purchases.
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SEC. 2. Any person who shall violate the provision of this Act shall be punished
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with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year or a
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fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (PHP20,000.00) but not more than One
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Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court. In case
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of a partnership, association, corporation, or any other juridical person, the penalty shall
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be imposed on the president, treasurer or any other officer or person responsible for the
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violation. In addition, the license to operate the business establishment shall be
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suspended for six (6) months or in the case of recidivism, cancelled, as the case may be.
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If the offender is an alien, he shall, after service of sentence, be deported immediately
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without further proceedings in the Bureau of Immigration.
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules and
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regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
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continue to be in full force and effect.


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SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,