Fake advertising to be penalized

BUHAY party-list lawmakers Mariano Michael Velarde Jr. and Irwin Tieng have filed House Bill 5674, seeking to penalize false or fraudulent advertising.

“The public is beset with advertisements of food products claiming the same to be nutritious despite the public knowledge of them containing a whole gamut of preservatives. There is also widespread marketing of various cosmetic products that promise instant beauty within a specific time frame,” Tieng explained.

He added that: “these advertising must be checked for their truthfulness not only to ensure the welfare of the consuming public but to also guarantee a stable market.”

As per the proposal, any person, firm or corporation “shall be prohibited from advertising or promoting his/its products, goods and services, underwriting any obligation such as pre-need educational, medical or other related services, through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, internet or other means accessible to the public view such as billboards, flyers, newsletters, etc. when such products, goods, services or pre-need benefits are inexistent.”

Violators shall be imprisoned for six years or fined twice the value of the amount defrauded, the bill states.

The bill also provides a liability “distinct from and in addition to the penalties under the Revised Penal Code and other special laws. The prosecution for violation…shall proceed independently and regardless of the status, stage or result of the prosecution under the Revised Penal Code.” (CGC)