Nauna nang nagbabala ang Department of Justice (DOJ) sa mga online lending company na nangha-harass sa paniningil, na maaaring maharap ang mga ito sa kasong kriminal.

Ano ang maaaring gawin ng mga nangutang sakaling harassin ng mga online lending company?

Ayon sa DOJ, puwedeng sumangguni ang mga borrower sa National Bureau of Investigation-Cybercrime Division, Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group, National Privacy Commission at Securities and Exchange Commission.

Ano ang mga hindi dapat gawin o maaaring maging paglabag ng mga debt collector o naniningil ng utang?

· Pag-access sa contact list ng mga may utang para padalhan ng mga non-payment message

· Pag-post online ng personal na impormasyon ng mga may utang para hiyain sila

· Pagbabanta sa mga may utang

· Paggamit ng bastos na pananalita

Ang mga nasabing uri ng pangha-harass ay paglabag sa Cybercrime Prevention Act, Data Privacy Act, Revised Penal Code at memorandum circular mula sa Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Ang isang online lending firm na nakakakuha ng hindi awtorisadong pag-access sa contact list ng may utang ay maaaring maging illegal access sa ilalim ng Cybercrime Prevention Act. Ito ay maaaring makulong ng hanggang 12 taon at multa ng hindi bababa sa P200,000.

Ang malisyosong pagsisiwalat o paglalathala ng mga pangalan at iba pang personal at sensitibong impormasyon ng mga borrower na diumano’y tumangging magbayad ng mga utang ay may parusa sa ilalim ng Data Privacy Act. Ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga contact list ng nanghihiram ay mapaparusahan din sa ilalim ng parehong batas.

Ang pagsisiwalat ay may parusang hanggang limang taong pagkakakulong at hanggang P1 milyon na multa. Ang labag sa batas na pagpoproseso ng data ay may kulong naman mula isa hanggang pitong taon at maaaring mapatawan ng multa na hanggang P4 milyon.

Ang paggamit naman ng pang-iinsulto o bastos na pananalita at mga banta ng pisikal na karahasan at pananakit ay parehong mapaparusahan sa ilalim ng Revised Penal Code, na maaaring mapataas ang mga parusa sa Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Sa ilalim ng SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019, ang mga kompanyang nagpapautang at financing company ay maaaring maharap sa multang P25,000 sa first offense, na hanggang P50,000 sa second offense para sa mga lending company.

P50,000 naman para sa first offense hanggang P100,000 sa second offense para sa mga financing company.

Philippine Overseas and Employment Authority (POEA) releases a new advisory on launching of the new BM Online System replacing the old BM Online system. This new web-based processing system was launched and implemented effective 30 June 2021.

UPDATE: The POEA is now called Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) as mandated by Republic Act No. 11641.

The official name of the new system is POEA Online Processing System for Balik Mangagawa (POPS-BaM) which incorporated the general functionality of the current BM Online System but now uses in-house developed program and addresses the most pertinent problems, bugs and error of the old system.

With this new advisory, BM workers are directed to transfer their existing records under the old BM Online System and transfer them to the new POPS-BaM. 

Once the old records have been successfully transferred, POPS-BaM can generate an OEC Exemption to BM Workers returning to the same employer. If the BM Worker will change employer and/or jobsites, the same shall be directed to set an online appointment in order to document the changes in employment data. The system has a built-in feature in the appointment module that helps those who are unable to proceed to avail an OEC Exemption, for the following concerns:

1. Change of employer and/or jobsite;
2. Undocumented worker (i.e. status is from tourist to OFW, or dependent to OFW, or student to OFW, etc);
3. Worker or employer is under watchlist;
4. OFW is returning to restricted or non-compliant country;
5. Job position is in the list of Mission Critical Skills

1) To register a new account or login using the username from the old BM Online website, go to https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph//OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx Under the e-Registration, click the Let’s Go button.

2) A new tab will open. Click the Registerbutton to start to open a new account or log using your username from the old BM Online system. If you login credentials is not working, you can open a new account instead.

3) Complete the registration and activation of your account to open your new POEA online account. Here is a guide that you can follow:

4) Login to your account again using your newly created password. Once you have successfully logged-in, the main dashboard of your account will appear.

On the dashboard, you must attach a profile picture and upload a copy of your passport(1st page) to add it on your profile.

To complete your profile, on the left menu, click the My Profile tab. Enter your personal information, complete address, and Mother’s maiden name.

In addition, for identifications, you can your Passport details and other government ID that is available. And click Add Beneficiary button to add your family members as beneficiaries.

Then, click the Update Profile button on the upper right corner to save changes.

To transfer your Old BM Records to New Portal. You must transfer it after 2 hours making your Account.

5) Now, to apply for OEC or OEC Exemption, click the Balik Mangagawa tab on the right side menu of the dashboard.

6) As an initial assessment, passport details and list of beneficiary must be updated. If these details are not yet complete, go back to the Home page and go to My Profile tab (left side menu) and update your passport details and enter the name and details of your beneficiaries.

Once the two data becomes available (green color), you can now click the Next button.

7) Enter your flight date in dd/mm/yyyy format. This flight date, is the date of your departure from Manila or any Philippine airport going to your country destination.

Take note of the reminders on applying for OEC:

• Make sure that you have a valid work visa/work permit and passport valid at least six months from your intended departure
• Your departure date must be within 60 days from the issuance of your OEC
• The OEC/Exemption is intended for single exit only

Then, click the Next button for the next step.

8) On this step, it will show the existing contract that you have in the system. If you are returning to the same country and employer, answer the questions that appear at the bottom of the page.

9) If you answer “Yes” on all questions, that is, returning to the same employer and country, your OEC details will be displayed. If you want a copy, click the Print OEC button and a PDF copy of your OEC will be available to be saved or printed.

If you have related concerns and inquiries, you can create a ticket using the POEA Helpdesk in POEA Online Services portal.

If you have related concerns and inquiries, aside from POEA/DMW Helpdesk online, you may contact POEA/DMW via the following:

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/dmw.gov.ph
Hotlines: 8-722-1144, 8-722-1155
Email: connect@dmw.gov.ph

You can also read the FAQs related to Balik-Manggagawa (BM), https://www.dmw.gov.ph/faqs