Santiago files bill protecting seniors from scammers

Miriam Defensor-Santiago / Wikipedia Photo

MANILA – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has filed a bill establishing an advisory office within the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that will primarily protect senior citizens from any kind of fraud or scams.

”The seniors have the right to be free from abuse or exploitation of any kind,” Santiago explained in her Senate Bill 2293 or ‘Seniors Fraud Prevention Act.”

Under the proposed bill, the DTI shall be directed to establish an advisory office within the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection to help the department in the prevention of fraud or scams specifically designated to rip off vulnerable seniors’ life savings and pensions.

Santiago said the advisory office shall also assist the DTI in monitoring the market for mail, television, Internet, and telemarketing fraud including recorded message telephone calls or “robocalls” targeting seniors.

”The advisory office will help the DTI in alerting consumers about new scams targeting senior citizens. Under the bill, the DTI is also required to establish an effective complaint system to ensure that reports of fraud are immediately referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency,” she said.

Under the proposed measure, the DTI shall consult with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the establishment of procedures on how the savings and pensions of the seniors will be protected from fraud.

According to reports, the senior citizens account for only over six percent of the country’s population that recently reached to 100 million.

However, a 2012 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report said the senior citizens are projected to increase to over 15 percent or 23.63 million in 2050.

Santiago said not only the family has constitutional duty to care for its elder members but “the State may also do so through just programs of social security.”