Group urges solon to probe ‘Province of China’ products

A think-tank group on Friday urged Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) party-list Representative Jericho Nograles to investigate the Chinese beauty product which listed its Manila address as a “province” of China, saying it already reached Davao City and other parts of the country.

In a letter of request addressed to Nograles, BenCyrus Ellorin of Pinoy Aksyon said they learned that the Chinese beauty product are now sold in Davao City markets and in other parts of the country.

“The courage and patriotism that you displayed is what emboldened us to approach you and ask for a deeper investigation into the entities behind this product being distributed by the Binondo, Manila-based Elegant Fumes Beauty Products, Inc., that has declared our country a ‘province of China.’ We are sure you are as troubled as we are by the implications of the product’s packaging,” Ellorin wrote.

“Beyond reinforcing our sovereignty, we also believe that such an investigation will also benefit consumers, as Chinese products have always been suspect prone to defects and may pose danger to the health of users and the environment,” he added.

He was referring to the letters of complaint Nograles earlier sent to theDepartment of Trade and Industry and the Food and Drug Administration about Chinese hair care product Ashley Shine Keratin Treatment Deep Repair that labeled its address in Binondo, Manila as a "province of the People’s Republic of China."

Ellorin, meanwhile, underscored that it is among Pinoy Aksyon’s goals to ensure that the products Filipinos encounter and purchase daily in the marketplace are affordable and safe to use.

“Under your leadership, we are confident that any investigation conducted will find out the truth and ensure that Filipino consumers remain safe from substandard products that could possibly be detrimental to public health and the environment,” he said.

In the reply of Nograles to Pinoy Aksyon's request, which was forwarded to GMA News Online, the party-list Representative said the investigation conducted by national agencies on the issue is still ongoing and that he “has confidence” that they will be “faithful to the law and their duties”

He added that Manila Mayor Isko Moreno wrote to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration on August 24 seeking help in the investigation and subsequent filing of proper charges and deportation of the owners, whom he said were Chinese nationals.

“Otherwise, that will be the only time that Congress can exercise its duties on oversight,” Nograles said.

“[O]ur Constitution promotes the independence of the local government units. I also have faith in all our local government units to act accordingly when it comes to this issue,” he added.

Nograles said nationwide pullout of the Chinese beauty product from all department stores, shopping outlets and online stores were done in late August.

Earlier, Mayor Moreno ordered the shutdown of several establishments at the Divisoria Mall selling beauty products which listed its Manila address as a "province" of China.

“Hindi natin hahayaan ang mga superpower na yan na parang tayo ay pinipitik-pitik lang tayo sa mata at binabale-wala nila ang soberentiya ng ating bansa,” Moreno was quoted on Twitter. -- BAP, GMA News