Philippines: Adopted Internet Transactions Act of 2023 (Republic Act No. 11967) including user right regulation

On 27 September 2023, the Philippine Parliament adopted the Internet Transactions Act, including user rights regulation. The Act covers any business-to-business or business-to-consumer transactions occurring in the Philippines. The Act mandates the DTI to develop a Code of Conduct for businesses engaged in e-commerce. Furthermore, the Act requires online consumers to exercise ordinary diligence when conducting a transaction online and defines remedies for online consumers in the case of a defect, malfunction or loss of the goods purchased. Additionally, the Act defines the obligations of e-marketplaces, e-retailers and online merchants in relation to internet transactions taking place on their websites. Lastly, the Act sets penalties and damages for any violation of the obligations defined in the Act. The Act will enter into force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.