Congress has approved on second reading a proposed law sponsored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo imposing a maximum fine of P300,000 or five years imprisonment or both for tampering with the ‘timbangan ng bayan’ center to be placed in all public and private markets nationwide.
The present penalty is a fine of P200 to P1,000, or imprisonment of one year, or both.
Arroyo said the establishment of such centers would provide the buying public with an effective means of checking the accuracy of the weight and the quantity of the goods that they are buying.
She said this will also discourage dishonest vendors from committing any irregularity.
The bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines which seeks to protect the public against fraudulent practices relative to the use of weighing instruments in public and private markets.