Manila, March 27 -- The Senate conducted on Thursday a hearing to address the rampant and allegedly abusive debt collection tactics of online lending companies, citing a surge in complaints from distressed borrowers.

The hearing, presided over by Senator Raffy Tulfo under the Subcommittee on Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies, stemmed from Senate Resolution 746, which the senator authored.

The resolution highlights serious allegations against some lenders, including the public shaming of borrowers, libelous social media posts, and threats involving coffins and death.

Tulfo said many of these practices violate Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

"This has to stop! Although I still believe that debts should b...