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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mayor Isko orders NBI probe on establishment that labeled Manila as province of China

Mayor Isko orders NBI probe on establishment that labeled Manila as province of China

Published Aug 21, 2020 08:19 am

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the business operations of a Binondo-based establishment that sold products with labels naming the capital city as a province of China.

“We are requesting that an investigation be conducted on the business operations of Elegant Fumes Beauty Products, Inc. (EFBPI), and if warranted, cause the filing of criminal charges against the corporation and its officers and/or incorporator,” his letter to NBI Director Eric Distor read.

“We are willing to submit relevant documents in our possession which may aid your office in the investigation,” he added.

EFBPI was ordered shut by Domagoso on Thursday after a beauty product label indicating Manila as a province of China was traced back to its address on Sto. Cristo Street in Binondo.

The Manila mayor said tagging the Philippine capital as a province of China “is an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines and an insult to duly constituted authorities.”

The establishment, owned by two Chinese nationals and three Filipinos, was also found to have been violating existing laws in the country, he said.

These are Republic Act (RA) 7394, the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and RA 9711, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act of 2009. EFBPI was also said to be engaging in online selling without the necessary permits.

Domagoso also wrote to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente and sought for the deportation of Shi Zhong Xing and Shi Li Li, the two Chinese owners of the establishment.

“Their utter disrespect to the country as shown by the violations of EFBPI should not be countenanced. We cannot let these foreign nationals insult our nation and our people,” he said.

In an address Thursday night, Domagoso slammed the mislabeling of the beauty products and stressed that Manila is not, and has never been a part of China. He also said Manila and the Philippines each have their own sovereignty.

"Hindi natin hahayaan ang mga superpower na yan na parang tayo ay pinipitik-pitik lang tayo sa mata at binabalewala nila ang soberentiya ng ating bansa (We will not allow these superpowers to keep flicking our eyes and disregarding the sovereignty in the country)," he said.

“Hindi po ako governor ng China. Mayor po ako ng Maynila, Philippines. ‘Yan po ang address ng Maynila. Maynila ay Pilipinas, at ang Pilipinas ay malaya. May sariling soberentiya (I am not a governor of China. I am the mayor of Manila, Philippines. That is the address of Manila. Manila is in the Philippines, and the Philippines is free. It has its own sovereignty),” he added.

Bureau of Permits Director Levi Facundo said they will revoke the permit issued to the establishment. The FDA is also set to cancel its license to operate.

Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles was the first to report that the Ashley Shine Keratin Treatment Deep Repair, a Chinese hair care product, was carrying the said label.

Nograles also asked the FDA and the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct investigations.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque brushed off the mislabeling of the Philippine capital and said no one will believe that it is a province of China.

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