The E-Commerce Act, or Republic Act 8792, was signed into law in June 2000, after the local Internet community has lobbied for its approval. Its enactment marked the country’s entry as a legitimate player in the global electronic marketplace.
The law gives official recognition to electronic date messages, electronic documents and electronic signatures as well as allows the formation of contracts in electronic form.
Banking transactions, done through ATM switching networks, were rendered absolute once consummated.
The law also provides the mandate for the electronic implementation of transport documents to facilitate carriage of goods. This includes documents such as multi-modal, airport, road, rail, inland waterway, courier, post receipts, transport documents issued by freight forwarders, marine/ocean bill of lading, non-negotiable seaway bill, charter party bill of lading.
It also required government agencies to develop their capability to do e-commerce, with a deadline to boot: within two years after its enactment.
Other significant features of the E-Commerce Act are the following:
- Made cable, broadcast, and wireless physical infrastructure within the activity of telecommunications
- Empowered the Department of Trade and Industry to supervise the development of e-commerce in the country. It can also come up with policies and regulations, when needed, to facilitate the growth of e-commerce
- Provided guidelines as to when a service provider can be liable
- Provided that only authorities and parties with the legal right can gain access to electronic documents, electronic data messages, and electronic signatures.
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