The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has raised concerns over mounting consumer complaints regarding deceptive and unfair practices on two prominent e-commerce platforms.
Trade Secretary Fred Pascual has issued letters to these platforms, requesting an official explanation for the reported issues.
Acknowledging reports of scammers and sellers offering defective, fake, and pirated products, Trade Secretary Fred Pascual requested an official explanation from the two platforms.
The two e-commerce platforms, which remain unnamed, have been given a 72-hour deadline to remove unregistered and unlicensed online merchants and provide an explanation to the DTI.
While Lazada and Shopee are the leading e-commerce platforms in the country, the DTI has established a partnership with Somago, a new player in e-commerce and logistics, as part of its One Town One Product (OTOP) program, aimed at digitizing micro, small, and medium enterprises.
“The DTI is currently undertaking appropriate measures to intensify our campaign against these fraudulent sales practices. I assure Filipino consumers that we are here to promote and protect their welfare and make sure that these sellers will be made accountable. As we promote the use of e-commerce platforms, we want to make sure that these spaces will be safe for consumers,” Pascual said.
Under Joint Administrative Order 22-01, online merchants and sellers are liable when it is impossible to identify the manufacturers, producer, or importer of defective products.
E-commerce platforms also have the authority to enforce the rights of intellectual property holders and should restrict sellers who are infringing on the IP rights of others.