Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Senator, Advocate

Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. was in Nepal lately and got interviewed by a journalist. The interview was most enlightening and full of humility on the part of the Senator.

Senator Magsaysay is serving his last term in the Philippine Senate. I'm honored to had the chance in working with him during the lobbying days for the Y2K Law and E-Commerce Law. He is also known for passing very important legislation, co-authored with other legislators, during his term such as:

• Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (RA 9160)
• Electronic Commerce Law (RA 8792)
• Ban on Hard Surfactants (RA 8970)
• Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises (RA 8289)
• New Foreign Investments Act (RA 8179)
• Mechanical Engineering Law (RA 8495)
• Amending the Omnibus Investments Code -Regional Headquarters (RA 8756)
• Jewelry Manufacturing Act (RA 8502)

That is in addition for very important provisions he introduced in numerous legislations today.
What I can't forget about the Senator is his friendliness, humility, and kindness. He is very approachable and makes everyone that he meet feel important. In short, he is a people-person, pang-masa talaga.

Although the Senator is known for wishing to rest after his term, may he inspire future Senators and the common Filipino to pursue advocacies that will push for transparent and fair governance, more opportunities for SMEs, and programs that will reduce poverty in the country.

In his own way, the Senator can be considered as a HERO for pushing for honest and responsible government. May his example of leadership serve as a model and humble us all.

Mabuhay Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.!

Republic Act 8792 - E-Commerce Law of the Philippines

Republic Act 8792, or the Electronic Commerce Law was enacted last June 14, 2000. Efforts for its passage started as early as 1992 with the Electronic Evidence Act. The law defines Philippines policy on electronic transactions to enable the country’s players and consumers to actively participate in electronic trade.

The law provides:

1. Legal recognition of electronic documents, electronic data messages, and electronic signatures;
2. Guidelines for retention and storage of documents in electronic form;
3. Recognition and validity of electronic contracts;
4. Guidelines for use of transport documents in carriage of goods;
5. A 2-year mandate for government to have the capability to transact its business electronically;
6. The directive for the Department of Trade and Industry to function as the country’s e-commerce authority;
7. The penalties to crimes such as hacking, cracking, and piracy offenses;
8. Made banking transactions done through ATM switching networks absolute once consummated;
9. Parties are given the right to choose the type and level of security methods that suit their needs;
10. Mandates RPWeb, a strategy that intends to connect all government offices to the Internet and provide universal access to the general public, to be implemented;
11. Made cable, broadcast, and wireless physical infrastructure within the activity of telecommunications;
12. Provided guidelines as to when a service provider can be liable;
13. All existing laws such as the Consumer Act of the Philippines also applies to e-commerce transactions.

Policies that have been released in 2006 that intends to support the implementation of the Electronic Commerce Law includes:

• Financing for Information Technology Build-Up (SME-FIT) (PDF file)
  
• DTI Administrative Order #8: Prescribing Guidelines for the Protection of Personal Data in Information and Communication Systems in the Private Sector (PDF file)
  
• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circular No. 542: Consumer Protection for Electronic Banking
  
• DTI-DOF Joint Administrative Order #2: Guidelines Implementing R.A. 8792 on Electronic Payment and Collection System (EPCS) in Government (PDF file)

Learn more about e-commerce in the Philippines by getting the DigitalFilipino.com E-Commerce Workshop E-Book.

For a background on the law's legislative history, get a copy of the Philippine Internet Review: 10 Years of Internet History (1994-2004).