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E-COMMERCE ACT 1ST ANNIVERSARY; MAGSAYSAY LEADS HONOREES

Makati City, July 20, 2001 - The Philippine Internet Commerce Society (PICS) is celebrating the first anniversary of the passage of the Electronic Commerce Act today at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

Framers of the landmark legislation will be honored during the event for their contribution and staunch advocacy for the development of the Philippine electronic commerce and the Internet as a whole.

Leading the honorees is Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., considered the father of the E-Commerce Act, having stewarded the law from inception to its passage.

He will be joined by Sen. Juan Flavier, former congressman, now Catanduanes Gov. Leandro Verceles Jr., and former Capiz solon, now Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas.

To be honored posthumously is former Quezon Rep. Marcial Punzalan. Other honorees are Sen. Vicente Sotto III and Manila Rep. Harry Angping.

The event also marks the relaunch of PICS, which will present its program of action to its members, the government and the media. Its new board of directors will be sworn in during the event.

The PICS board members are Janette Toral (DigitalFilipino), president; Francis Lopez (CEO, Inter Commerce), VP; Dennis Deveza (VP, Total Information Management), VP; Vic Magdaraog (VP, SGV-DDI), treasurer; and JJ Disini (managing partner, Disini and Disini Law Office), corporate secretary.

The event’s major highlight is the presentation of PICS’ proposed policy agenda to legislators that would further promote the advancement of local e-commerce initiatives.