1. What is the Consumer Act of the Philippines?

- This Act, consisting of 173 articles divided into six Titles, establishes the
Consumer Act of the Philippines. The policy of the State aims at protecting the
interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish
standards of conduct for business and industry.
(https://leap.unep.org/countries/ph/national-legislation/republic-act-no-7394-establish
ing-consumer-act-philippines#:~:text=This%20Act%2C%20consisting%20of%20173,
conduct%20for%20business%20and%20industry.)

2. When was the Consumer Act of the Philippines enacted?

- The principal law for consumer protection in the Philippines is the Consumer
Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394). It came into effect on July 15,
1992.
(https://aseanconsumer.org/selectcountry=Philippines#:~:text=The%20principal%20l
aw%20for%20consumer,effect%20on%20July%2015%2C%201992.)

3. What government agency is primarily responsible for the implementation of

the Consumer Act of the Philippines?
- The Department of Trade and Industry ("DTI") is primarily tasked with
implementing the Consumer Act. The DTI Bureau of Product Standards
("BPS") formulates Philippine National Standards for consumer products,
including food.
(https://resourcehub.bakermckenzie.com/en/resources/asia-pacific-food-law-guide/a
sia-pacific/philippines/topics/food-product-and-safety-regulation#:~:text=The%20Dep
artment%20of%20Trade%20and,for%20consumer%20products%2C%20including%
20food.)

4. What are the rights of consumers under the Consumer Act of the Philippines?
- The eight consumer rights are: Right to basic needs, Right to safety, Right to
information, Right to choose, Right to representation, Right to redress, Right
to consumer education, and Right to healthy environment.
(https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2655817#:~:text=The%20eigh
t%20consumer%20rights%20are,and%20Right%20to%20healthy%20environment.)

5. What are the responsibilities of businesses under the Consumer Act of the
Philippines?
- Five consumer responsibilities include staying informed, reading and following
instructions, using products and services properly, speaking out against
wrongdoing and lawfully purchasing goods and services.
(https://bizfluent.com/list-7499733-five-responsibilities-consumer.html)
 6. What is the penalty for engaging in deceptive or unconscionable sales
practices under the Consumer Act of the Philippines?
- Any person who shall violate any provision of Article 18 shall upon conviction,
be subject to a fine of not less than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) but not
more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than
two (2) months but not more than one (1) year, or both upon the discretion of
the court.
(https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7394_1992.html#:~:text=a)%20Any%
20person%20who%20shall,upon%20the%20discretion%20of%20the)

7. What is the penalty for selling substandard products under the Consumer Act
of the Philippines?
- Article 107. Penalties. – Any person who shall violate any provision of this
Chapter or its implementing rules and regulations with respect to any
consumer product which is not food, cosmetic, or hazardous substance shall
upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than Five thousand pesos
(P5,000.00) and by imprisonment of not more than one (1) year or both upon
the discretion of the court. In case of juridical persons, the penalty shall be
imposed upon its president, manager or head. If the offender is an alien, he
shall, after payment of fine and service of sentence, be deported without
further deportation proceedings.
(https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7394_1992.html)

8. What is the penalty for engaging in unfair or deceptive advertising under the
Consumer Act of the Philippines?
- Article 123. Penalties. –
a) any person, association, partnership or corporation who shall violate any of
the provisions of Articles 110 to 115 shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine
of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Five
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) or an imprisonment of not less than one (1)
month but not more than (6) months or both upon the discretion of the court.
b) Any violation of the provisions of Articles 116 to 121 shall, upon conviction,
subject the offenders to a fine of not less than Two hundred pesos (P200.00)
but not more than Six hundred pesos (P600.00) or an imprisonment of not
less than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months or both upon the
discretion of the court. If the violation was committed by a juridical person, the
manager, representative, director, agent or employee of said juridical person
responsible for the act shall be deported after service of sentence and
payment of the fine without need for further deportation proceedings.
(https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7394_1992.html)
 9. What is the role of the Consumer Arbitration Council under the Consumer Act
of the Philippines?
- Consumer Arbitration Officers (CAOs) shall have original and exclusive
jurisdiction to adjudicate all cases filed by consumers under the Consumer
Act.
(https://wipolex-res.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/ph/ph087en.pdf)

10. What is the role of the Department of Trade and Industry under the Consumer
Act of the Philippines?
- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is a prime mover of consumer
welfare. It is committed to protecting the rights and interests of the consumers
and is also committed to developing policies and programs aimed at
sustaining the growth and development of the Philippine economy.
(https://www.consumersinternational.org/members/members/the-department-of-trade
-and-industry-dti/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Trade%20and%20Industry
%20(DTI)%20is%20a%20prime,development%20of%20the%20Philippine%20econo
my.)

Tolentino, Miguel Brian B.

BAENT-1B