SENATOR Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV on Friday said that after years of waiting, a law that protects buyers from defective motor vehicles has finally been passed.
The law calls for the return to the consumer the full value of money if the motor vehicle that was bought is not of standard and quality, 12 months or 20,000 kilometers from date of original delivery.
If the consumer remains unsatisfied with the efforts to the repair of the vehicle up to four times, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will exercise exclusive and original jurisdiction over disputes.
"The passage of the Lemon Law is crucial since owning a vehicle is crucial in today's fast-paced life, especially for businessmen and entrepreneurs," said Aquino, sponsor of the consolidated bill filed by Senators Cynthia Villar and JV Ejercito.
"Aside from consumer protection, the Lemon Law will provide consistent standards of quality and performance in the auto industry," he added.
The Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Philippine Lemon Law of 2014 before the body's sine die adjournment Wednesday.
Earlier, the bicameral conference committee adopted the House version of the Lemon Law, authored by Las Pinas Representative Mark Villar.
The bill will be transmitted to Malacanang for signature of President Benigno Aquino III. (Camille P. Balagtas/Sunnex)