BY BEN ROSARIO
The viral video showing at least ten delivery service riders falling victims to a prankster in Las Pinas City prompted lawmakers on Tuesday to move for the swift passage of a bill that would penalize bogus food and grocery delivery orders.
Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin batted for prioritization of House Bill 7805 or the Internet Transactions Act that consolidated his bill aimed at imposing stiff penalties against pranksters, practical jokers, and other persons for victimizing food delivery service crew and riders.
Deputy Speaker and 1Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero said there is urgency in passing the measure to protect food and grocery delivery service personnel, particularly riders, against pranksters.
“Whoever was behind the Las Pinas prank deserves to be hauled to jail for a long time. What he or she did was plain and simple cruelty, the pain caused by this prankster on people who just wanted to earn an honest living during this COVID 19 crisis is unbearable,” said Romero.
Garbin filed House Bill 6958 that was consolidated with HB 7805 which has been scheduled for plenary deliberation on the Lower House floor.
HB 6958 prohibits any customer from cancelling confirmed orders for the delivery of food and/or grocery items once the delivery rider has already paid and is already in actual possession of the orders.
Garbin said the bill also prohibits prank orders and penalizes a customer who “shame, demean, embarrass or humiliate the delivery riders.
Under the bill a violator will face maximum six years in prison a fine of not less thatn P100,000. The guilty party will also have to reimburse the cost of the service and the value of food advanced by the rider. (Ben Rosario)
