The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is inviting the public to submit their insights and comments on the draft Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.
The Act, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr on Dec. 5, 2023, aims to establish regulations that will strengthen eCommerce and protect consumers and merchants.
Deadline for submissions of comments and suggestions on the law will be on March 12. They may be sent online through the DTI email address at ecommerce2@dti.gov.ph.
The draft IRR states the policy and coverage of the law, specifying the rules on business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and consumer-to-consumer (C2C) transactions made on digital platforms, wherein one of either party is situated in the Philippines.
As a regulatory policy, the IRR states that an Online Business Database (OBD) will be established containing a list of all digital platforms, e-marketplaces, e-retailers, and online merchants engaged in e-commerce or the sale of goods.
In addition, it will enable the DTI to encourage the development an E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, operated by a private sector governance body, to award or accredit “trustworthy” retailers and sites.
An E-Commerce Bureau will also be created under the DTI to create policies, receive complaints, and monitor the strict compliance of stakeholders.
It also details the rights, obligations, and liabilities of parties in internet transactions, as well as enumerates the penalties imposed on violators.
The draft IRR may be viewed in the DTI website here or this link (https://www.dti.gov.ph/advisories/advisory-call-inputs-comments-draft-implementing-rules-regulations-republic-act-no-11967-internet-transactions-act-2023/).