A one-year reprieve was granted to online sellers by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) after it extended the acquisition of the controversial Philippine Trust Mark, making it voluntary instead of mandatory as previously ordered.

This was announced by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque on Monday during a year-end press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City, providing good news for online sellers this holiday season.

“It would be voluntary until 2026. But we still encourage everyone to have that credibility, especially the micro enterprises. If the government can do it, then why not?” she said.

Other countries’ methodology, experiences

She said the DTI had checked with other countries’ methodology and experience before reaching their latest decision.

To date, Roque said a total of 18,405 online merchants have already applied for the Philippine Trust Mark.

Earlier, DTI’s Department Administrative Order (DAO) 25-12 had mandated that online merchants and platforms secure the Philippine Trustmark, a digital badge signifying compliance with government standards for trustworthiness, safety and fair e-commerce practices.

The DTI had announced that applications for securing the trust mark would be open until 31 December 2025.

Registered small businesses with total assets of more than P3 million to P15 million will be given a 50 percent discount on their initial registration fee, plus P500 (application fee), P100 (web administration fee), and P30 (documentary stamp), for a total of P630.

For medium enterprises with total assets of more than P15 million, they are required to pay the full fee: P1,000 (application fee), P100 (web administration fee), and P30 (documentary stamp), for a total of P1,130.

The DTI had received backlash from online merchants, treating the Philippine Trust Mark order as an added layer of fees that they would shoulder.