Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso (Photo from Manila PIO)
MANILA – The city government of Manila is taking action against those behind the mislabeling of beauty products that branded the city as a province of China.
“We are requesting that an investigation be conducted on the business operations of EFBPI (Elegant Fumes Beauty Products, INC) (EFBPI). and if warranted, cause the filing of criminal complaints against the corporation and its officers and/or incorporation,” Domagoso said in his draft letter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Calling the act as “unacceptable”, Domagoso is also requesting the Bureau of Immigration to deport the two Chinese nationals listed as part of the incorporators of the EFBPI.
He said that upon examination of the registration papers of the EFBPI, it revealed that the company has two Chinese nationals and three Filipinos as its incorporators, whom Domagoso described as “in effect are the company owners”.
The two Chinese nationals were identified as Shi Zhong Xing and Shi Li Li.
“We are requesting that deportation proceedings be initiated against Shi Zhong Xing and Shi Li Li,” Domagoso said in his letter.
The letters will be sent to the NBI and the BI on Monday.
Domagoso said that the two Chinese and the three Filipinos should be held responsible for the violations committed by the EFBPI.
“Their utter disrespect to the country as shown by the violations of EFB should not be countenanced. We cannot let these foreign nationals insult our nation and our people,” the letter reads.
On Thursday, Domagoso ordered the closure of the business establishment together with the other three stalls selling the products in Divisoria Mall.
The closure of the business establishment was prompted by the viral photo of EFBPT’s cosmetic product “Ashley Keratin Treatment Deep Repair” wherein the packaging is labeled with address in “Manila, Province of China”
Domagoso said that the misinformation in the packaging of the said product “is an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines and an insult to its duly constituted authorities”
The company, Domagoso said, committed violations of prevailing laws and regulations such as Section 40(a) of RA 7394 otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Section 10 of RA 9711 otherwise known as the Food and Drugs Administration Act of 2009, and Engaging in online selling without the requisites permit.
Domagoso also called on the consuming public to be vigilant of the products they are buying and using.
“Delikado rin sa consumer kasi kung hindi yan dumaan sa masusing pag aaral at pagsisiyasat ng mga kinauukulang ahensya ng gobyerno tulad ng FDA (it is also dangerous for the consumers because if these products do not have the approval of appropriate government agencies such as the FDA), then we are in danger,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said owners of the firm may be held criminally liable.
"There is potential liability for mislabeling by the manufacturer and/or distributor of the product," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told newsmen. "If the product itself has not been approved for local use by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the violation takes on a more serious character,” he added.
Guevarra said that "willful or malicious violation of domestic laws, rules and regulations is a ground for deportation after an alien has been duly prosecuted and penalized in our country".
"The end goal is of course to determine any administrative and/or criminal liability after a proper investigation," Guevarra said.
Meanwhile, BI spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said they are coordinating with the city government of Manila regarding the matter.
“The BI haven't received yet the official letter request from Mayor Isko Moreno but we are ready to conduct investigation. In fact, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente already directed operatives of Intelligence Division to coordinate with the office of Mayor Isko Moreno,” Mabulac said in a message.
At the same time, he said the “BI extends gratitude to Mayor Isko for helping the Bureau in providing information relative to the actions committed by the 2 Chinese nationals.”
“We assure the public that BI will file a deportation case against the involved foreign nationals if found to have violated the immigration law,” Mabulac added.
He also reminded foreigners to strictly follow the laws of the country.
“We remind all foreign nationals to respect the Philippine laws and not abuse the Filipino hospitality,” the BI official added.(with reports from Benjamin Pulta and Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
