Philippines: Adopted Internet Transactions Act of 2023 (Republic Act No. 11967) including consumer protection authority governance

On 27 September 2023, the Philippine Parliament adopted the Internet Transactions Act (Republic Act No. 11967) including consumer protection authority governance. The Act covers any business-to-business or business-to-consumer transactions occurring in the Philippines. The Act establishes the E-Commerce Bureau and tasks it with creating policies and plans for the development of e-commerce, ensuring compliance with the Act, overseeing the registration of digital platforms with the Bureau and handling complaints. Furthermore, the Act requires the Bureau to establish a database with all digital platforms or other e-commerce businesses in order to ensure access to contact information for each business. The Act will enter into force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.