By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Concerned about the negative repercussions if fake and substandard offshore appliances from China continue to be sold online, House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo revealed on Monday (12 August 2024) that “hundreds of thousands” of Filipinos may lose their jobs.

This prompted the hard-hitting journalist-turned-lawmaker to lead the filing of a resolution urging the House of Representatives, along with his colleagues from the ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo to investigate the “unfair online sales practices” of offshore appliances directly imported into the country from China and sold at a cheaper price.

“Kung hindi ito mapipigilan, maraming manufacturers sa Pilipinas na sumusunod sa tamang alituntunin ng batas natin ang mapipilitang magsara dahil sa pagkalugi. At kapag nangyari ito siguradong daan-daang libong kababayan natin ang mawawalan ng trabaho,” Tulfo pointed out in a statement.

He added that as many as 15 businessmen—mostly manufacturers and sellers of appliances—personally came to his office to seek help because their businesses have been affected by the rampant sale of cheap but substandard and fake products.

“Itong mga negosyante na ito, sila yung mga nagbabayad ng tamang buwis at sumusunod sa lahat ng regulasyon at alituntunin na pinaiiral ng ating batas. Pero sila ang lubos na apektado at ngayon ay nalulugi dahil sa hindi patas na bentahan sa merkado,” Tulfo stressed.

Among the local manufacturers that approached Tulfo’s office and asked for help were American Home, Asahi, Astron, Camel, Caribbean, Concepcion, Cooldaddy, Dowell, Eureka, Fujidenzo, Hanabishi, Karlsson, Kyowa, Kuchenluxe, Nikon, Nova, Tefal, Tiger, Union, Condura, Carrier, Midea, Shark Ninja, Tough Mama, and 3D.

They have a combined total of 300,000 Filipino workers.

“Huwag na nating intayin na tuluyan silang malugi at magsara ang kanilang mga kumpanya bago tayo kumilos kapag nawalan na ng trabaho ang daan libo nating mga kababayan,” Tulfo stressed.

He also questioned agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) as to why they seem to just let such products enter the country without going through government regulations.

The ACT-CIS solon said that while he wasn’t against online selling, he insisted that offshore products must also go through the laws set by the government.

The resolution says that “the newly enacted Republic Act (RA) No. 11967, otherwise known as the Internet Transactions Act, provides for a regulatory framework that requires players in e-commerce to adhere to specific rules and regulations on the protection and promotion of innovation, competition, secure online transactions, and environmental sustainability.”

“Despite this regulatory framework, there have been reports that offshore brands, particularly those from China, have been allowed to directly deliver items to the country—through platforms like Shopee and Lazada—without adhering to the same taxation and regulatory requirements imposed upon domestic appliance manufacturers,” it added.

The resolution also stressed that most of the “offshore brands” didn’t undergo government regulations; that’s why they can sell their products at a cheaper price.

“After receiving complaints about establishments that sell uncertified appliances, the DTI recently raided and seized appliances imported from China and Korea without Import Commodity Clearance stickers—a significant indication in the packaging that proves that the product is safe, of good quality, and is not harmful to its user,” it further read.

ia/mnm