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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __________ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. JESUS “BONG” C. SUNTAY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The trade and industry sector adapts with the modernization of society. 
As social networking sites and other online media platform have become part 
of the people's day-to-day lives, the trade and industry sector has also began 
to develop processes and systems that will allow businesses to sell goods and 
services via digital platforms. 
Contactless payments are already a widely used payment method even 
before the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few years, there has been a 
significant decrease in cash usage as the economy modernizes. Businesses 
and consumers switch sides because it offers safer transactions, ease of use, 
flexibility of payment devices, and loyalty benefits. 
As the coronavirus pandemic inflicted a massive health and economic 
catastrophe, we have to adapt to the new normal. Contactless payments are 
highly encouraged and preferred by many. It has allowed continuity to 
businesses, without risking the safety of both their employees and consumers 
especially those that are high-risk such as Senior Citizens and Persons with 
Disabilities.  
However, with the introduction of a new mode of payment and 
transaction, the proliferation of online applications and websites along with 
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door-to-door deliveries, the privileges and benefits granted to vulnerable 
sectors such as Senior Citizens and PWDs have been overlooked and in most 
cases not being applied. Very few of these businesses grant the discounts 
required by law on their digital platforms.  
In this time of the pandemic where outdoor activities are highly 
discouraged especially to high-risk individuals, our Senior Citizens and PWDs 
are deprived of the benefits and privileges granted to them by existing 
legislations. It is therefore imperative for the government to provide a 
mechanism to enable these sectors to avail of the discounts and privileges 
granted to them by the law when they opt to procure necessaries through 
digital platforms.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
ATTY. JESUS “BONG” SUNTAY 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by HON. JESUS “BONG” C. SUNTAY 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE DISCOUNT AND PRIVILEGES OF SENIOR CITIZENS, 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND STUDENTS IN DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS, 
INSTITUTIONALIZING MECHANISM THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as the “Digital Transactions 
Discount Act” 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to promote social justice in all phases of national development. The State shall 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall 
endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all 
the people at affordable cost. Priority shall be given to the needs of the 
underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled women, and children. 
The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, through Article XIII, Section 
11, mandates Congress to legislate measure that protects and enhances the right of 
all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic and political inequalities, 
and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for 
the common good. 
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SEC. 3. 
Coverage of this Act. – This Act shall cover all Senior Citizens, 
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Students, as provided by their specific 
legislations. Privileges and discounts granted to them shall be honored in all digital 
transactions, as applicable.  
 
SEC. 4. 
Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the following 
terms are defined, as follows: 
a. Claimant refers to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, Students, 
or any individual entitled to discounts and privileges on goods and 
services, as identified through existing laws. 
b. Companies refer to business entities engaged with the sales of goods 
and services through digital platforms such as online and 
telecommunication channels.  
c. Digital Platform refers to all online and telecommunication channels of 
companies that facilitate transactions and exchanges of goods and 
services.  
d. Digital Transaction refers to the actual exchange of money, including e-
money, for goods and services processed via digital platforms such as 
online and telecommunication channels. 
e. Person with Disabilities, as defined by RA 10754, refers to any person 
with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments 
which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and 
effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.  
f. Physical Transaction refers to the exchange of money for goods and 
services via physical stores and outlets. 
g. Senior Citizen, RA 7432, refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines 
at least sixty (60) years old, including those who have retired from both 
government offices and private enterprises. 
h. Student, as defined by RA 11314, refers to any Filipino citizen currently 
enrolled in a duly authorized elementary, secondary, technical-
vocational, or higher education institution. This does not include those 
enrolled in post-graduate degree courses and informal short-term 
courses. 
 
 


 
 
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SEC. 5. 
Provision of Discount for Digital Transactions. All privileges 
and discounts provided for by existing laws, such as but not limited to, Senior 
Citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and students, shall be duly recognized 
and applied in all digital transactions. Provided, companies through their digital 
platforms, shall include a feature that allows claimants and/or his/her authorized 
representative to register their accounts for the availment of such discounts. 
Provided, further, That necessary identification cards, as well as other applicable 
documents,  are complete and duly presented by the claimant. 
 
SEC. 6. 
Digital Transaction Discount Mechanism. All companies 
involved in the sales of goods and services via digital platforms shall include a feature 
on their websites, mobile applications, and digital sale process that will enable 
claimants and/or their authorized representatives to register their accounts that will 
enable them to avail such discounts. Accounts of claimants and/or their authorized 
representatives must undergo assessment from companies using the personal data 
and identification cards submitted by the claimants and their  authorized 
representatives through digital platforms. Provided, That, the discounts and 
privileges to be availed are based on existing laws. Provided, further That, companies 
may provide additional discounts, aside from what is provided by existing laws, for 
claimants and their authorized representatives. 
 
SEC. 7. 
Implementation. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in consultation with the 
Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications 
Technology, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, 
and Department of Finance, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC. 8. 
Penalties. Any person who refuses to honor the discount and 
privileges as provided for by this Act and other existing laws, or violates any provision 
of this Act, shall suffer the following penalties: 
 
a. For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than one (1) but not 
more than six (6) months and a fine of not less than Ten thousand 
pesos (Php10,000.00) but not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos 
(Php50,000.00); 


 
 
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b. For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
months but not more than one (1) year and a fine of not less than Fifty 
thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred 
thousand pesos (Php100,000.00); and 
c. Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished 
with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and a fine of not less 
than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not more than One 
hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00). 
If the offender is a corporation, partnership, organization or any similar entity, the 
officials thereof directly involved such as the president, general manager, managing 
partner, or such other officer charged with the management of the business affairs 
shall be liable therefor. 
If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, he/she shall be deported immediately after 
service of sentence. 
Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper 
authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, 
permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any person, 
establishment or business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 9. 
 Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees or issuances, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and 
regulations as well as local ordinances contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,