Online selling has been a thing for few years now. Most businesses have opted to sell their products on the internet to be able to have a wider reach in the market. Since almost everyone has access to the internet these days, it is easier and quicker to cater to consumers, whether for goods or services.
Products being sold on the internet range from household items to even electronic gadgets. Almost everything you need can now be ordered and bought with the help of the internet. Services are also advertised now with the use of social media, and bookings or appointments may also be made through it.
With the happening of Covid-19 and the closure as well as limited hours of establishments, businesses have truly taken advantage of the internet. Considering that certain protocols must be observed as well due to the pandemic, it is only wise to take the business to a different “level”.
What is E-commerce?
In the Philippines, Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (more popularly known as E-commerce Act) has been in place since 2000. It aims to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions, arrangements, and the like, through the use of electronic medium. Under the law, E-commerce Act applies to any kind of data message and electronic document used in the context of commercial and non-commercial activities to include domestic and international dealings, transactions, arrangements, agreements, contracts and exchanges and storage of information.
Some of E-commerce Act’s salient features are the following:
1. Empowers the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to supervise the development of e-commerce in the country. It can also come up with policies and regulations, when needed, to facilitate the growth of e-commerce.
2. All existing laws such as the Consumer Act of the Philippines also applies to e-commerce transactions.
3. It gives legal recognition of electronic data messages, electronic documents, and electronic signatures.
4. Allows the formation of contracts in electronic form.
5. Makes banking transactions done through ATM switching networks absolute once consummated.
Under the law, certain acts shall be penalized by fine and/or imprisonment, such as: a) hacking or crackling; b) piracy; c) violations of Consumer Act (RA 7394); and d) other violations of the provisions of the Act.
At present, again, due to the pandemic, most government offices have also resorted to the use of the internet. Pre-Covid, some of these government agencies, such as the SEC, have already started using the internet for certain transactions. Courts and quasi-judicial agencies have also likewise started the implementation of e-filings, to prevent the spread of the virus.
In 2020, DTI has expressed its support for various bills related to e-commerce, such as House Bill 6122 or the Internet Transactions Act. The Bill seeks to establish an e-commerce bureau, which shall focus on promoting the development of e-commerce in the country, as well as establishing trust between sellers and consumers. The Bill also seeks to lay down ground rules for online consumer protection and safer e-payment gateways.
