By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Deeply concerned to protect senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from scams by certain individuals and syndicates, ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo is set to on Monday (15 July 2024) a bill that imposes jail for these “heartless scammers.”

Tulfo’s co-authors are ACT-CIS Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.

“Ilang reklamo na kasi ang natatanggap ng aking tanggapan ukol dito sa panggogoyo sa mga senior citizens ng ilang walang pusong indibidwal,” Tulfo fumed.

“Sa kanilang pension o konting ipon lang umaasa ang mga senior, tapos gagatasan o nanakawin pa ng mga manggagantso,”Tulfo noted.

“Sinama narin namin yung mga PWD na kapag ginoyo mo ay kulong ang aabutin mo. Kahit piso pa yan, makukulong ka pag-iniscam mo yung kaawa-awang senior o PWD, dahil wala kang puso,” he emphasized.

The proposed penalties include imprisonment ranging from three months to six years or more, depending on the amount taken from the senior or PWD, especially if their savings or pensions are exhausted due to the scam by individuals or syndicates.

Tulfo, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, further noted: “Masyado kasing bulnerable ang mga senior citizen at mga may kapansanan sa mga panloloko ng ilan dahil na rin sa kahinaan dala ng kanilang edad o kapansanan.”

“We need to protect our elders and PWDs sa panahon ngayong usong-uso ang mga scam,” he stressed.

Under the proposed bill entitled “An Act Protecting the Integrity of the Electronic

Transactions of Senior Citizens and PWDs, Defining for the Purpose the Crime of Internet and Telecommunications Phishing and Fraudulent Practices Against Senior Citizens and PWDs and Providing Penalties Therefore,” it aims to provide robust protection for senior citizens and PWDs by clearly defining and penalizing internet and telecommunications fraud targeting them.

“By imposing stringent penalties, the bill seeks to deter potential offenders and underscore the seriousness of these crimes. The implementation of this bill would not only safeguard the financial assets of senior citizens and PWDs but also restore their confidence in using digital platforms for communication and transactions,” the proposed bill said.

Any person found guilty of committing the act of phishing, internet fraud, or telecommunications fraud where the offended party is a senior citizen or PWD at the time of the commission shall be punished by imprisonment of three years and one day to six years and a fine of at least P500,000 as determined by the regular courts, or the amount equivalent to the total damage incurred to the offended party, whichever is higher.

(el Amigo/mnm)