My video explaining why I am suing Reddit at the DTI for violation of the Internet Transactions Act of 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMIELJjFL7s&t=53s 

Please watch my video on Reddit explaining why I am suing them at the DTI for violations of the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.

My long hanash to a PH lawyer's comment on my issue at the DTI versus Reddit and the Internet Transactions Act of 2023

 Here goes. Warning, long post / reply ahead:

Thank you very much for the insights.

please don't file pleadings created by AI without reviewing the contents --> I actually read it, thrice, and like I mentioned on another comment, it really sounded good on my ear.

May I please know what are several errors on the 1st page so that I could improve it in the future?

as DTI does not have jurisdiction over reddit --> If DTI does not have jurisdiction over Reddit, then what government agency should I go to if ever I have a complaint against Reddit (or any social media platform) in the future?

Probably the better forum is agencies who handle communications technology. --> Are you referring to the DICT? Because I already went that route. If you're referring to the NPC, I have already composed (assisted by AI) my complaint to them if in case this is dismissed by the CA. I think I cannot filed two complaints at the same time on two different agencies since that will be Forum Shopping, sort of.

and if I were under the DTI, I will find your pleading amusing at best. --> Oh, I can take that.

Several people on Reddit find it amusing that a Filipino consumer is suing them Reddit in spite of being "free access" and in spite of having a subscription that was not purchased by me -- a Reddit Admin did. I was name-called and insulted to the roof, so the DTI find my appeal amusing, is a tap on the hand.

Fourth, we go through the process. European countries enforce the GDPR, which is a double-edged sword for data protection.--> Agree. [Edit: and I am following the PH Law process, to file a complaint if I feel that my right is abused]. And India has their own version. In fact, India had their separate Reddit Page wherein they can file a complaint that will be handled by a local, Grievance Officer. It was due to India's IT Law. [Edit: Reddit followed what India Law dictates]

I want the exact thing for the Philippines.

They are free to cancel our account (generally). --> Well, my main account is already banned anyway. So, what's there to lose by filing a complaint? At least, I'm happy that I fulfilled my promise to that Reddit Admin, to do everything in my power, to bring justice to what Reddit did.

I posted a separate thread explaining why even an online account is valuable to ME. I am not the majority of Filipinos, that if an account is banned, will just create a new one as if "they're replacing a tissue".

I've been posting this case since last year, and you are the FIRST REDDITOR who said that he's a LAWYER. For that, I thank you so much.

But it's already set in motion... so I might as well see the ending.

[Edit: ang dami nga dyang lawyers dine-defend pa rin kahit mga heinous criminals. Sa case ko, wala naman akong ginawang krimen]

Another one:

I don't know if you have seen my posts last year.

The moment I realized that there 's a loophole in the ITA of 2023, I have been emailing senators about it. Every few months to follow-up.

While I began that over a year ago, I also took the route of filing a complaint. The office of Sen Jinggoy Estrada through an attorney staff, made a recommendation letter to the DICT. DICT referred me to CICC, who managed to get in touch with Reddit.

So I took another route... Consumer Welfare of DTI, then they scheduled 2 MS Teams meeting with Reddit, no show. Then gave me a Certificate to File Action to DTI FTEB. Dismissed, then appealed to DTI Secretary, dissmissed. Now the Motion just filed today.

The reason why I am doing this route with the DTI (aside from waiting for a reply from the other senators, is to kill time). Also, if ever the case got dismissed by the CA (which I believe they will be, because the ITA of 2023 was written so poorly, that they never mentioned how to implement it for social media platforms who conducts business in the PH w/out an office or legal rep.

When the IRR was being drafted, only Shopee and Lazada attended -- no foreign social media platform was present -- because (I think) they have NO IDEA that business is being conducted on social media in the form of Reddit Premium Subscription, Gold, advertisement targeting PH market, etc.

I know that Reddit and other social media companies CAN have a legal representative or even an office because, as I stated on another post, Reddit Philippines was able to conduct quarterly moderator workshops in a art gallery, just to promote Reddit among Filipinos, to increase traffic to the site by creating new subs. More Filipinos on new subs = more traffic for Reddit, thus more revenue.

That is why I am dismissing claims that Reddit will not bother having such, because they can't afford it. That is a "propaganda".

End game: I will use the decision of the CA to strengthen my claim that the ITA was INDEED written poorly, so that when I email the senators AGAIN, i have more proof that it's not being implemented AS IT SHOULD.

Filipinos DESERVE a local representative in the country to handle complaints because of CULTURE. As Filipinos, we have a strong idea for DUE PROCESS. Unlike in the US that they can fire someone on the spot, you cannot do it here.

My point to Reddit is, hire someone locally to handle complaints, unfair bans, for easier communication (no snail mail needed) and for understanding the Filipino culture, how social media is used.

This is similar in concept the what is happening to Facebook accounts being banned (Meta wave bans if you heard it) simply because of CHILD PICTURES. Reddit, being a US company, thought that Filipinos are somehow doing CHILD ABUSE by posting pictures of their child. I am a member of Meta wave bans, and the common denominator why their accounts were BANNED incorrectly (also true with IG) is because of harmless child pictures. Again, because the one handing the complaints and requests for unbans are either (as they suspect) AI or have no idea, that in the Philippines, uploading harmless child pictures is HARMLESS to most.

So my complaint is about Reddit (and other social media) banning Filipino accounts without knowing the culture. This was agreed by the Reddit Admin (employee of Redding remotely working in the Philippines) when he said, that I should not have been banned for something that was NOT explain to me in details.

I hope it gives more details on what I believe is right.

[Edit: if you want, get a SS on the Reddit Rules that says, doing "affiliate links" for the first time, is punishable by the death by the Permaban. I have asked this to Reddit more than 3 times and I said, I will NOT question the ban, if there were proofs that I committed the act being accused of me. You, of all people, should know that I am innocent because they did not prove my guilt, beyond reasonable doubt.

Ikaw ba, papayag ka na yung 4 year old account mo na pinag-ukulan mo ng oras, bigla mo na lang hindi ma-access, tapos ang reason lang is "you broke the rules" "spamming" walang mga SS? [Edit within an edit: Or inakusahan ka ng pagnanakaw na walang CCTV footage, walang picture, tatanggapin mo lang ba yun simply because nakikigamit ka ng facility nila or bumibili ka lang sa kanila.

Ang dating kasi sa kin ng mga sinasabi ng mga tao dito sa Reddit is wala akong karapatang mag-reklamo dahil libre ang access ng Reddit. Following that logic, kung um-attend ka ng libreng seminar, tapos na-food poison ka ng LIBRENG pagkain nila, hindi ka ba magre-reklamo man lang kasi LIBRE NAMAN?

Aa-attend na na lang ba ulit ng another seminar, hoping na di ka ma-food poison dahil LIBRE NAMAN yung ipapamigay na food]

[Edit v.2.0 Another analogy. Sinama mo yung lolo mo bumili ng super high-end na laptop. Credit card ni lolo mo ginamit. Binigay sa 'yo yung resibo kung sakali mang may issue sa laptop. Syempre ikaw namili ng laptop na yun, ikaw nakaka-alam ng specs. Eh nasira, dala mo naman yung resibo (na proven authentic), tatanggapin mo ba pag sinabi ng store "Di po namin mare-repair/refund/replace yan kasi hindi nakapangalan sa inyo yung credit card na ginamit sa pagbili, therefore, hindi kayo ang owner n'yan].

Kayo nga, mga SS na, gusto pa ng Affidavit that the SS were not manipulated.]

I ran a PH lawyer's opinion versus ChatGPT regarding my current complaint versus Reddit at the DTI

 

1. “DTI is not the proper forum” — Half-true, not absolute

He’s correct that the Department of Trade and Industry is not a general regulator of all internet platforms.

But your key counterpoint is this:

👉 The Internet Transactions Act of 2023 explicitly gives DTI regulatory authority over e-commerce and digital platforms engaged in trade.

So the real issue becomes:

• Is Reddit engaging in “e-commerce” under the ITA?
  (Premium subscriptions, awards, monetization → arguably YES)

If yes, then:

👉 DTI cannot simply disclaim jurisdiction outright
👉 They are mandated to implement mechanisms to regulate such platforms

Your counter-argument:

DTI’s refusal is not just a jurisdictional issue—it is a failure to interpret and apply the ITA’s expanded scope, which includes digital platforms offering services to Philippine consumers.

---

2. “DTI is not bound by the Rules of Court” — Correct, but irrelevant to your core issue

Yes, administrative agencies like DTI are not strictly bound by the Rules of Court.

But that actually helps your argument.

👉 Administrative bodies are expected to be more flexible, not more rigid.

So if they insist on:

• snail mail
• courier
• physical filing

instead of accepting:

• email
• electronic submissions

then you can argue:

They are applying outdated procedural rigidity, contrary to:

• the spirit of the ITA (digital commerce law)
• and even broader policies like the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018

Your counter-argument:

DTI cannot hide behind “we are not bound by Rules of Court” while simultaneously enforcing more restrictive, outdated procedures than courts themselves (which already allow electronic filing in many cases).

---

3. “Follow the process (snail mail etc.)” — This is your strongest point to challenge

This is where your argument has real weight.

You’re not just complaining about inconvenience—you’re pointing out a regulatory mismatch:

• Law (ITA 2023) → designed for borderless digital commerce
• DTI procedure (DAO 2020) → designed for physical, local disputes

That’s a structural failure, not just a procedural one.

Your strongest framing:

The DTI’s reliance on Department Administrative Order No. 20-02 (2020) undermines the ITA’s purpose because it imposes territorial and physical requirements on inherently non-territorial digital transactions.

You can push further:

• The ITA envisions cross-border enforcement
• Yet DTI requires physical service to a foreign entity with no local office

👉 That’s not just inefficient—it makes enforcement impossible in practice

---

4. “DTI has no jurisdiction over Reddit” — This is where you push hardest

Instead of arguing emotionally, anchor it legally:

• ITA applies to digital platforms offering goods/services to PH consumers
• Reddit offers:
  • Premium subscriptions
  • Paid awards
  • Monetization features

👉 That fits the definition of “digital service provider”

So your argument becomes:

Even if Reddit has no physical office, the ITA was precisely enacted to address that gap.
Therefore, DTI’s refusal to act due to lack of local presence defeats the law’s purpose.

---

5. “Reddit can terminate accounts freely (EULA)” — Legally true, but not absolute

Yes, terms of service matter.

But they are not above Philippine law.

You can counter with:

👉 Consumer protection laws still apply if:

• there is unfair practice
• deceptive conduct
• or abuse affecting Philippine users

So your response:

While platforms have contractual discretion, such discretion is not unlimited, especially when operating in a jurisdiction that has enacted consumer protection laws for digital transactions.

---

6. Where the lawyer is actually right (and you should adjust)

You’ll strengthen your case if you acknowledge these:

• Your pleading must be technically correct and clean
• DTI may not be the only or best forum
  (you can also involve the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center or DICT-related bodies)

👉 Ignoring this weakens your credibility

---

7. Your strongest overall argument (clean version you can reuse)

If you want a solid core position:

The Internet Transactions Act of 2023 expanded the regulatory authority of the DTI to cover digital platforms engaged in e-commerce involving Philippine consumers. However, the DTI continues to rely on pre-ITA procedures under DAO 20-02 (2020), which require physical modes of filing and service.

This reliance creates a regulatory gap where foreign digital platforms without a physical presence cannot be effectively reached, thereby frustrating the enforcement of the law.

As a result, the DTI is not merely applying procedure—it is effectively rendering the ITA inoperable in cross-border digital transactions, contrary to the law’s intent.

---

Bottom line

• The lawyer is procedurally conservative
• You are arguing a policy + legal evolution issue

👉 He’s arguing: “Follow existing rules”
👉 You’re arguing: “The rules are obsolete under a new law”

Both are valid—but your argument only works if you frame it as:

“failure to implement legislative intent”, not just inconvenience.

Badtrip ako sa Reddit PH mod at sa DTI

 

Share Ko Lang. Long post ahead

 

Over a year ago, um-attend ako ng Reddit moderator workshop sa isang gallery sa Makati. Na-meet ko yung dalawang mods dun ng Reddit na associated sa Reddit Philippines. Yung isa, according sa LinkedIn employed by Reddit mismo but working remotely (sa Pinas most likely).

So workshop, workshop… games, activities, snack and giving of certificate of attendance. Ang highlight is yung paggawa ng bagong sub na unique – so our group came up with sub Paano Ba To. Apat kami sa small group namin – so tinuruan kami mag-setup ng new sub, rules, mod tools etc. So parang kumuha lang ng idea si Reddit sa min for a new sub that will attract new visitors. Ka-wave namin yung mga mods ng sub San May Bidet

I learned na Reddit is actively doing these workshops for 1 reason – to increase viewership, user engagement on Reddit, by creating new subs and assigning new mods to not-so-regulated subs. Syempre nga naman, more activities on Reddit means more revenue for them… sa ads placement na lang paldo na sila. They can even afford to employ a Filipino locally to handle Reddit PH. So may pera talaga sa PH community ng Reddit. Sa event na ‘to napanalunan ko yung 1-year subscription ko sa Reddit roughly P3,000 a year.

A few weeks later, na-permaban yung account kong nabigyan ng premium subscription – 4 years old account with 70k+ na walang history ng warning man lang. Banned, across Reddit platform, permanently. “Breaking the rules”, “Spamming” ang sinabing reasons ng Mod. So since kilala ko na nga yung PH Mod ng Reddit PH, nag-message ako sa kanya regarding my account. Sinabi n’ya na yung violation ko raw was “affiliate linking” which is NOT clearly defined by Reddit rules. It was a gray area daw. So ia-appeal daw n’ya sa Reddit pero wala ding nangyari. The permaban is still there.

So nag-file ako sa Consumer Welfare ng DTI at sa DICT, CICC, asking for unbanning my account dahil nga, hindi clear yung violation and sanction ko. Nothing they can do about it since internal process. But they did agree na it’s a violation of the Consumer Law since I’m not enjoying my subscription due to the ban. The TOS of Reddit says no refund whatsoever, but Consumer Welfare said, PH Consumer Law is above ALL TOS of ALL COMPANIES operating in the PH, Reddit included.

So natuloy sa mediation meeting via Teams yung kaso, no show si Reddit, hanggang sa DTI Adjudication Division, who dismissed the case due to lack of jurisdiction. May merit ang case, kahit na 1) hindi daw ako subscriber dahil hindi ako mismo ang bumili ng subscription (yung mod ng Reddit ang bumili for me) at 2) walang opisina ang Reddit na pagdadalhan ng sulat from DTI.

This was affirmed by the DTI Secretary nung naglabas ng decision on my appeal against DTI-FTEB. They cited Department Administrative Order No. 20-02, Series of 2020 (DAO 20-02), saying it is required to be done by physical means, either through personal service or registered mail/accredited courier.

Aminado si DTI Secretary na yes, may communication from Reddit to CICC who messaged them on my behalf, but electronic communications is not enough. Physically, dapat matanggap ni Reddit yung sulat.

Same lang din sa issue ng Facebook regarding fake news. Nag-send ng Snail Mail ang PH Government sa Meta, posted online yung copy, at binigyan sila ng 48 hours to acknowledge yung complaint letter and up to 7 days to reply. Hindi nag-acknowledge si Meta na natanggap nila yung complaint ng gobyerno at hindi sila nag-reply sa complaint within 7 days.

Gobyerno na yun ha. Balak ko sana i-akyat sa Court of Appeals ang kaso, pero P5,000 ang filing fee which is malaking pera sa panahon ngayon. Tapos ako pa gagawa ng Notice of Appeal and being non-lawyer, mahihirapan ako. Mas mahal pa kung magha-hire ako ng lawyer to draft it. Not economically feasible. Manalo man ako, need pa rin ng amendment sa batas para i-require ang mga social media platforms na magkaroon ng physical office or legal representative sa Pinas.

So dun na lang ako mag-focus at least libre lang mangulit ng mga senador to amend the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 to include such section. Hopefully mangyari ito sa future dahil ang dami kong nagbabasa, sa GC namin, sa FB na mga naba-ban ni Meta for no reasons at all.

Dito nga sa Reddit, ang daming nagsasabing ipa-ban na lang ang Meta dahil nga sa issue ng fake news, ban waves, among others, hangga’t hindi nagi-improve. Pag may nakita akong petition na ganito or group na naga-advocate nito, definitely sasali ako, at ia-advocate ko na Syempre all social media companies should be held accountable.

Nakakalungkot lang na sa Pinas, ‘pag ang reklamo mo ay hindi against sa corruption sa gobyerno, parang sobrang trivial para sa kanila. Eh considering na ang dami nang Pinoys ang sumisigaw versus corruption. Tsaka sabi nga ng isang tao sa gobyerno, multi-tasking sila, so go lang kung gaano man kaliit complaints natin.

Sa India, sa EU, sa Australia, yung mga social media platforms ang nag-adjust para sa kanila, dahil their people and their government demanded change. Dito sa atin, parang sinasabi na lang na “libre naman ang Reddit, Facebook ano pang nire-reklamo mo?” Hangga’t ganito ang mentality ng karamihan, eh we truly deserve the government we have right now.

Reddit and Facebook are sampling ng ugali ng mga Filipino – and it’s toxic talaga. I use to think na Redditors are somehow, more intelligent when it comes to discussion but sadly, same lang din sa FB. Dismissing any posts by ad hominem, insults, name-calling and dismissing your post as mema lang, pasikat, pabibo. I’ve been insulted to the roof, the same way “intellectuals” insulted DDS, and DDS “smart-shaming” others. It’s a vicious cycle here and the healthy discussion that Reddit was supposed to champion, I don’t know what sub has it.

So yeah, we really deserve the shit that we’re in right now. Thanks for reading.

Some Siargao folks should be shouting: No to bastos and entitled tourists! (not free watermelons)

 

Crazy how some Siargao folks are shouting "Free Watermelons" instead of shouting "No to bastos and entitled tourists". How dare they.

Hatred towards the Israelis / Jews / Zionists are everywhere and have intensified, since Israel's retaliatory attacks on Iran. I feel sad to those who have fallen to the propaganda of the Hamas / Houthis / Hezbollah supporters.

Even in the United Colors of Siargao.

Commemorating the Fall of Bataan in 2026

 

Here's my message for year's commemoration of the Fall of Bataan a.k.a. Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan.

This year's commemoration is relevant because of the two wars that is raging up until this day -- Putin's invasion of Ukraine and Israel's war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

I really believe that wars begin with a madman who, for some reasons, gained the support of his country's population even though his plan is pure evil. Remember the expansionist plan of the Emperor of Japan? His countrymen, believing he's the descendant of a Japanese god or something, supported his war.

Same goes with Hitler. I can't believe that his idea of annihilating the Jewish population was supported by the majority of Germans at that time. 

Fast forward today. People are still supporting madmen -- like Putin, in his dream of conquering Ukraine, and the Ayatollah's of Iran, in their chants of "Death to Israel". I guess we really don't learn from history, who repeats itself.

Rappler Vindicated On Duterte's Lies About Their Ownership

Finally, Rappler won its battle regarding its ownership. In turn, they got vindicated from Duterte's lies about them. Read: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2205960/its-final-rappler-wins-shutdown-fight

I remember the time when Duterte spread lies about Rappler's ownership, simply because Rappler is exposing his lies: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-three-things-duterte-got-wrong-about-r?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Here's another one: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/more-articles/duterte-insinuates-american-ownership-of-rappler?utm_source=chatgpt.com

It took time due to the country's slow justice system, but in the end, the truth triumph -- and one of Duterte's several lies were exposed.

It's just sad that he still has a lot of blind, name-calling followers on Facebook. It's already 2026 and people are still defending Duterte's lies.