Bawal ang ‘installment only’ policy

ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta @Magtanong Kay Attorney | June 15, 2023

Dear Chief Acosta,

Matagal naming pinag-ipunan na mag-asawa na makabili ng sariling motorsiklo na puwede kong magamit pampasada. Nang magtungo ako sa pinakamalapit na dealer, iginigiit sa akin na installment lang diumano ang puwede. Ang plano sana namin ay bayaran nang buo para hindi na magpatong pa ng interest. Tama ba iyong dealer? - MC

Dear MC,

Para sa iyong kaalaman, ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ay nag-isyu ng Administrative Circular No. 21-03 noong ika-23 ng Marso 2021, na may paksa na “Guidelines for Payment Options on the Purchase of Consumer Products and Services,” na nagsasaad ng mga sumusunod:

“Section 1. Scope. This Order shall cover all persons, natural or juridical, registered or unregistered, engaged in the sale or offer for sale of consumer products and services.

Section 2. Mandatory Provision of Payment Options. No person or company engaged in the sale or offer for sale of consumer products and services shall impose an “INSTALLMENT ONLY” mode of payment to consumers. Consumers shall be given the option to pay in cash, in installment or a combination thereof. Denial of the right of the consumer to pay in cash shall constitute a prima facie violation of Article 52 of the Consumer Act. Provided that the seller is not precluded from offering a discount from the selling price if payment is made in cash. Provided further, that the selling price shall remain the same whether the mode of payment is through debit/credit/prepaid cards, QR codes, electronic fund transfers or other digital means that are available to consumers.

Section 5. Complaints Handling and Sanctions. Handling of administrative complaints and sanctions for violations hereof shall be in accordance with applicable laws, including Fair Trade Laws, and consistent with DTI rules and regulations.

Penalties for violations of Title III, Chapter I, Article 52 on Unfair or Unconscionable Sales Acts and Practices under the Consumer Act shall apply.

Complaints may be filed with the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau or the nearest DTI Regional or Provincial Office.”

Alinsunod sa nasabing alituntunin, tahasang ipinagbabawal ang ‘installment-only’ policy. Ang mga mamimili ay dapat bigyan ng opsyon na magbayad ng cash, installment o kumbinasyon nito. Ang pagtanggi sa karapatan ng mamimili na magbayad ng cash ay maituturing na paglabag sa Article 52 ng Republic Act No. 7394 o ang Consumer Act of the Philippines, sapagkat ito ay hindi patas o hindi tapat na gawain sa pagbebenta o “unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice.”

Kaugnay nito, ang sinumang tao na lalabag sa Article 52 ng Consumer Act, kapag nahatulan, ay maaaring mapatawan ng multa at/o pagkakakulong:

“ARTICLE 60. Penalties. — a) Any person who shall violate the provisions of Title III, Chapter I, shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) but not more than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than five (5) months but not more than one (1) year or both, upon the discretion of the court.”

Kung kaya, maaaring magsampa ng reklamo kaugnay ng hindi patas o hindi tapat na gawain sa pagbebenta o “unfair or unconscionable sales act or practice” sa Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau o sa pinakamalapit na DTI Regional or Provincial Office.

Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa mga impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay.

Maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.