House pushes probe on 'unfair' online sales practices

MANILA – Four lawmakers filed a resolution on Monday urging the House of Representatives to investigate the unfair online sales of offshore appliances from China.

House Resolution (HR) No. 1912 authors ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Erwin Tulfo and Evic Yap, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo expressed fear that thousands of Filipinos may lose their jobs if fake and substandard offshore appliances from China continue to be sold online.

"Kung hindi ito mapipigilan, maraming manufacturers sa Pilipinas na sumusunod sa tamang alituntunin ng batas natin ang mapipilitang magsara dahil sa pagkalugi. At kapag nangyari ito siguradong daan-daang libong kababayan natin ang mawawalan ng trabaho (If it is not stopped, many manufacturers in the Philippines who follow our law will be forced to close shop due to losses. And when it happens, hundreds of thousands will surely lose their jobs)," Erwin Tulfo said.

He said 15 manufacturers and sellers of appliances personally sought his help because their businesses have been affected by the rampant sale of cheap but substandard and fake products.

"Itong mga negosyante na ito, sila 'yung mga nagbabayad ng tamang buwis at sumusunod sa lahat ng regulasyon at alituntunin na pinaiiral ng ating batas. Pero sila ang lubos na apektado at ngayon ay nalulugi dahil sa hindi patas na bentahan sa merkado (These businessmen, they the ones paying the right taxes and who follow all regulations and rules. But they are the most affected and losing money due to unfair sales in the market)," Tulfo said.

In his privilege speech, Tulfo identified the affected local manufacturers as American Home, Asahi, Astron, Camel, Caribbean, Concepcion, Cooldaddy, Dowell, Eureka, Fujidenzo, Hanabishi, Karlsson, Kyowa, Kuchenluxe, Nikon, Nova, Tefal, Tiger, Union, Condura, Carrier, Midea, Shark Ninja, Tough Mama and 3D which employ a collective 300,000 Filipino workers.

"Huwag na nating intayin na tuluyan silang malugi at magsara ang kanilang mga kumpanya bago tayo kumilos kapag nawalan na ng trabaho ang daan libo nating mga kababayan (Let's not wait until they totally go bankrupt and close their companies before we respond and Filipinos lose their jobs)," he said.

Tulfo called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Customs to address the problem.

He said he is not against online selling as long as laws are followed.

HR 1912 cited that "the newly enacted Republic Act (RA) No. 11967, otherwise known as the Internet Transactions Act, provides for a regulatory framework that requires players in e-commerce to adhere to specific rules and regulations on the protection and promotion of innovation, competition, secure online transactions, and environmental sustainability."

"Despite this regulatory framework, there have been reports that offshore brands, particularly those from China, have been allowed to directly deliver items to the country – through platforms like Shopee and Lazada – without adhering to the same taxation and regulatory requirements imposed upon domestic appliance manufacturers," it added.

The lawmakers said most of the offshore brands do not undergo government regulations, allowing them "to sell their products at a cheaper price."

"After receiving complaints about establishments that sell uncertified appliances, the DTI recently raided and seized appliances imported from China and Korea without Import Commodity Clearance stickers, a significant indication in the packaging that proves that the product is safe, of good quality, and is not harmful to its user," the resolution read. (PNA)