Noy signs anti-lemon bill into law

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has signed the anti-lemon bill into law, which protects car owners from brand new but defective motor vehicles.

Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, chairman of the House committee on trade and industry and one of the principal authors of the bill, welcomed the passage of the law.

“We’re happy with the recent signing of the Anti-Lemon Law. The State declares to promote full protection of the rights of consumers in the sale of motor vehicles against trade practices which are deceptive, unfair or otherwise inimical to the consumers and the public interest,” he said.

Under the law, anyone who purchases a brand new car and experiences defects within a year after purchase would be able to secure a refund or replacement of the unit if repairs prove useless.

Lemon refers to brand new vehicles that fail to meet the standards of quality and performance.

Villar said owning a car is not considered a luxury but more of a necessity.

“Coping with this necessity does not come cheap. Owning a motor vehicle is a big investment and could take a substantial chunk of one’s savings. For some unfortunate buyers, an investment in this endeavor has become for naught after they acquired a lemon,” he said.

Under the law, a car qualifies as a lemon if it has been repaired four or more times for the same defect within the warranty period, which is 12 months after purchase or the first 20,000 kilometers of operation.

Villar said the Anti-Lemon Law originated in the US primarily to return to the consumer the full value of his or her money in the purchase of a poor-quality car.