Tanduay laments TRO over Ginebra Kapitan

Tanduay Distillers Inc. (TDI) yesterday lamented the temporary restraining order issued by the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court barring Tanduay from manufacturing, distributing and selling its Ginebra Kapitan gin.

"The restraining order is a clear victory of monopoly over free market competition. It also signals the death of the consumers’ freedom of choice," TDI chief operating officer (COO) Wilson Young said yesterday.

At the same time, Young said, "it also signals the death of the consumers’ freedom of choice."

Young said that TDI is determined to continue its crusade against monopoly.

"Tanduay believes that the only way to uphold consumers’ rights is to allow them to choose and give them competitive products to choose from," the TDI executive said.

The TDI said there is no debate on the use of a Spanish generic term like "ginebra" since no one owns it. As to the alleged confusing similarity between competing products, TDI said this issue is better left for the intelligent and discerning consumers to decide.

"Ginebra Kapitan feels that the restraining order is a major stumbling block to a healthy and fair competitive environment," Young said.

He reiterated that Ginebra Kapitan is a good product and it deserves to be offered as a better choice to Filipino gin drinkers.

Young assured that TDI’s fight is not for Ginebra Kapitan alone, but for the right of millions of Filipino gin drinkers to break free from the chains of monopoly.

Ginebra Kapitan was introduced in the Philippine market only in May this year.

Aside from its world-class quality, Ginebra Kapitan comes in a new and innovative bottle which features a pilfer-proof resealable cap, unlike its competitors which only use antiquated crowns or "tansan."