A new legislative measure aiming to protect senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) from internet and telecommunications fraud is being advocated in the Lower House, PNA reported.
The proposed bill, titled “An Act Protecting the Integrity of the Electronic Transactions of Senior Citizens and PWDs, Defining for the Purpose the Crime of Internet and Telecommunications Phishing and Fraudulent Practices Against Senior Citizens and PWDs and Providing Penalties Therefore,” seeks to clearly define and penalize fraudulent online practices targeting these vulnerable groups.
House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo announced that the bill will be filed on Monday. “My office has received complaints regarding our senior citizens being scammed by some heartless individuals,” Tulfo stated.
The bill is designed to safeguard the financial assets of seniors and PWDs while also boosting their confidence in using digital platforms for communication and transactions. Proposed penalties for offenders include imprisonment ranging from three months to six years or more, depending on the amount involved, and a fine of at least PHP500,000.
“Seniors only rely on their pension or little savings and then they are milked or even robbed by scammers,” Tulfo lamented. He emphasized that PWDs are also included in the bill, ensuring that those who swindle them will face jail time.
