DOJ: No expiry dates for gift certificates

MANILA, Philippines - Business establishments were warned yesterday against issuing gift certificates with expiration dates.

In a statement, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said violators could be charged and penalized under the law.

“In this season of Christmas when our brethren are making purchases for loved ones and colleagues, this is a simple and concrete way to make sure that spending hard earned money is not met by unsavory and deceptive practices,” she said.

De Lima said Administrative Order No. 10-4, Series of 2010 of the Department of Trade and Industry prohibits any supplier from issuing gift certificates containing an expiry date, effective July 1, 2012.

However, suppliers may refuse to honor gift certificates, gift checks and gift cards when they are lost due to no fault of the supplier, and when they are mutilated or defaced due to no fault of the supplier and such damage prevents the supplier from identifying the security and authenticity features, she added.

Under the AO, gift certificates, gift checks or gift cards shall be redeemable until used up by the bearer.