DTI’s Trustmark faces backlash from online sellers, Bam Aquino urges review

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) faces criticism over its mandatory E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, which requires all online sellers and e-commerce platforms to register and display a DTI-issued badge by December 31, 2025.

Under Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-12, the Trustmark certifies that an online business complies with consumer protection and fair-trade standards. Sellers are required to pay ₱1,130 in total fees — ₱1,000 for application or renewal, ₱100 for web administration, and ₱30 for documentary stamp tax. The certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

The DTI said the Trustmark will serve as a seal of legitimacy to protect consumers against fraudulent transactions and build confidence in digital commerce.

However, Senator Bam Aquino, along with small business owners, voiced concern that the requirement could burden micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up the majority of online sellers in the country.

The measure has triggered pushback from small online entrepreneurs, who argue that the requirement adds unnecessary cost and bureaucracy. On Reddit forums such as r/Philippines, r/ShopeePH, and r/BusinessPH, users described the Trustmark as a burden on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) already struggling with platform fees and inflationary pressures.

Some sellers also questioned how DTI intends to verify compliance or enforce penalties across thousands of informal sellers operating on social media.

Aquino has urged the DTI to revisit the policy, saying it contradicts the intent of the Internet Transactions Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act, both of which aim to simplify business processes and encourage digital entrepreneurship.

“Nanawagan tayo sa DTI Philippines na muling pag-aralan ang mandatory Trustmark requirement para sa online businesses na maaaring maging pabigat sa maliliit na negosyante. Ang ganitong polisiya ay salungat sa Internet Transactions Act at Ease of Doing Business Act — mga batas na layong gawing mas magaan at mabilis ang proseso para sa ating MSMEs. Imbes na dagdag bayarin, panawagan natin: gawing libre, simple, at tunay na tulong ang Trustmark upang mas maraming Pilipinong negosyante ang makapagtaguyod at umasenso online,” Aquino said.

(We call on the DTI to review the mandatory Trustmark requirement for online businesses, which may burden small entrepreneurs. Such a policy runs counter to the Internet Transactions Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act — laws meant to make processes lighter and faster for our MSMEs. Instead of imposing extra fees, our appeal is to make the Trustmark free, simple, and genuinely helpful so more Filipino entrepreneurs can succeed online.)

Aquino also criticized the recurring nature of the Trustmark fees, saying they resemble a tax that small businesses will have to pay yearly — a detail that people may find difficult to bear given the current scandal regarding the theft of flood control money.

“Lumilitaw, para na rin itong buwis na dapat bayaran ng ating online traders taun-taon. Hindi ito napapanahon, lalo ngayong mainit ang isyu na napupunta lang sa katiwalian ang buwis na binabayaran ng taumbayan,” he said.

(It’s starting to look like a yearly tax that our online traders have to pay. This is ill-timed, especially now that the issue of taxes being lost to corruption remains a hot topic.)

If the government really wants to help online MSMEs thrive, Aquino said the DTI should integrate the Trustmark into the business registration or renewal process and make it free of charge to ease their financial burden and encourage more entrepreneurs to go digital. – Rappler.com