Credit card overcharges

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor Juan de Zuñiga Jr., also its general counsel, sent a lengthy rejoinder to my series on credit card overcharges. I had stated that he treats as case-to-case the many Supreme Court rulings to limit interest to only one percent and penalty to another percent a month. Too, that credit companies, in marketing their product, virtually push the cards into the hands of vulnerable customers. De Zuñiga said in capsule that:

• reference to his “opinion on the SC ruling in Macalinao v. Bank of Philippine Islands (see http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/september2009/175490.htm) led to impressions that BSP takes the side of banks and card companies on their collection of interest charges. What I concluded is that aggrieved borrowers can proceed against those who charge iniquitous and unconscionable rates.”

• Too, “since entering into a credit card membership is essentially a contractual transaction, prospective members should first demand prior information on charges collectible, and if they find these terms unreasonable, to reject the membership thereat.”