The Crime of Identity Theft and Fake Accounts in the Philippines

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The advent of technology blurs the line between crimes committed in the physical world and crimes committed in the electronic world. In the United States of America (U.S.), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a dedicated one-stop resource, the IdentityTheft.gov, for identity theft victims (we are unaware if the Philippine National Privacy Commission has a similar resource). Identity theft, according to the FTC, happens when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal information to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund. The applicable laws on identity theft in the Philippines are discussed below.

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New Public Service Act in the Philippines: Primer on House Bill No. 78

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On 7 January 2020, House Bill No. 78 was filed at the lower house of Congress, proposing amendments to the Public Service Act (Commonwealth Act No. 46), which shall be known as the New Public Service Act. The proposed law seeks to limit the term “public utility” to electricity distribution and transmission sector and the water pipeline and sewerage pipeline system. The New Public Service Act, which also prescribes a mechanism for rate fixing that allows a reasonable rate of return to attract investments into public utilities, was approved on third and final reading on 20 February 2020 and was transmitted to the Senate on 11 March 2020. 

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Effect of Certification by President that a Proposed Law is Urgent; Engrossed/Enrolled Bill

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The recent passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (House Bill No. 6875) by the House of Representatives brings to fore, among others, the effect of Presidential certification on the urgency of the proposed law. The copy of the CURES Act, on the other hand, contains a note that it is an engrossed bill. What is the legal significance of the certification by the President that a Senate Bill or House Bill is urgent? What is an engrossed bill or enrolled bill?

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Rules on Mass Gatherings During GCQ and MGCQ

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There are specific rules for various activities, depending on the quarantine classification of an area. The existing quarantine classification for all areas in the Philippines is either General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified General Quarantine (MGCQ). Here are the rules governing MASS gatherings in both GCQ or MGCQ:

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Amendment to the Supplemental Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents and Commercial Rents (DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-31): Full Text

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[The complete text of the Amendment to the Supplemental Guidelines on the Concessions on Residential Rents and Commercial Rents, contained in Memorandum Circular No. 20-31 issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on 4 June 2020, is reproduced below. See also Summary of the Amended Supplemental Guidelines.]

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Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020: Salient Points of House Bill No. 6920

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On 5 June 2020, the House of Representatives approved, on third and final reading, House Bill No. 6920 (in substitution of House Bill No. 6709), proposing a law to be known as The Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020. Here are the salient features of engrossed copy of House Bill No. 6920:

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30-Day Grace Period No Longer Available for Loans with Due Dates Falling on 1 June 2020 and Thereafter (BSP FAQ)

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[The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) did not issue any new guidelines, which means that the original Implementing Rules and Regulations covering the 30-day grace period for loans remain the same. The rule is different for rents. Loans with due dates falling before 1 June 2020 still enjoy the 30-day grace period, but loans with due dates falling on 1 June 2020 and thereafter do not enjoy such benefit. This is clear in the latest Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ) of the BSP, reproduced below for the purpose of disseminating the information.]

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