Charles Teves
Debtors should not be subjected to maltreatment, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian reminds the public that it is against the law to embarrass or threat people who owe them money.
With the use of the Senate Bill No. 1336, also known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Gatchalian wants to free debtors from getting threatened and embarrassed by debt collectors.
“Bawal na ang paggamit ng di makatarungan, mapanlinlang at abusadong pangongolekta at paniningil ng utang.”
Debt collectors are known to do these things and are able to execute them perfectly especially with the use of social media, where everyone can see the post regarding the debtor.
Gatchalian emphasized that the purpose of the bill is to protect debtors from getting abused by the collectors when it comes to collecting debts.
“Layunin ng panukalang batas na ito ang pagtanggal ng abusado at hindi makatarungang pangongolekta ng debt collectors ng utang laban sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan.”
The bill also protects debt collectors who are diplomatic in collecting their money.
“Sinisiguro din ng naturang panukalang batas na maprotektahan naman ang mga debt collector na hindi nang-aabuso.”
Debt collectors should not harass or subject debtors to maltreatment as it is against the law.
“Bawal rin ang paggamit ng mapanlinlang na representasyon o pamamaraan ng pangongolekta ng utang.” said Gatchalian.
The information regarding the amount that the debtor owns should remain undisclosed to the public when they have not given any permission to do so.
Those who violate the law will have to pay a fine of up to 30,000 pesos.
