‘2,000 Pinoys may lose jobs over fake products’

MANILA, Philippines — At least 2,000 Filipinos may lose their jobs as a result of the unabated online sale of fake and substandard products from China, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo said yesterday.

He said the representatives of as many as 15 firms, mostly manufacturers and sellers of appliances, came to his office to seek help because their business has been affected by substandard and fake products sold online at cheaper prices.

“These legitimate businessmen have been religiously paying their taxes, and they have also been complying with all our laws and regulations. But they are now placed in a very disadvantageous position, and are making huge losses because of these unscrupulous traders,” he said.

Tulfo said among the manufacturers who approached his office were American Home, Asahi, Astron, Camel, Caribbean, Concepcion, Cooldaddy, Dowell, Eureka, Fujidenzo, Hanabishi, Karrlsson, Kyowa, Nikon, Kuchenluxe, Nova, Tefal, Tiger, Union and 3D, which have a combined total of 300,000 workers.

In a statement, Tulfo said he is set to collaborate with fellow ACT-CIS Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo; District 2, Quezon City Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo and Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap to file a resolution for Congress to investigate the “unfair online sales practices” involving offshore appliances.

“If they will not be stopped, these local manufacturers might be forced to shut down their operations due to huge losses. And once this happens, I will be very sure thousands of our kababayans will also be losing their jobs in the process,” he said.

“Let’s not wait for this scenario to happen. We have to nip this in the bud,” Tulfo suggested.

He also questioned government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Customs for letting such products enter the country without going through government regulation.

Tulfo immediately clarified that he is not against online selling, but he insisted that they must also go through the laws set by the government.