Press Release
March 31, 2018

STATEMENT OF SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON ON PRESIDENT DUTERTE'S ORDER FOR PNP TO ARREST PEDDLERS OF FAKE DRUGS

I support President Duterte in his move to order the Philippine National Police to arrest peddlers of fake medicines and file charges against them. I also commend the Food and Drugs Administration for stepping in to stop the proliferation of fake drugs sold in the local market. Protection of the people's health is mandated by the Constitution; hence, the government should address issues that place the people's health at risk. Sick people take medicines to get well or to control their illness which is why medicines should be properly administered. How will a sick person get well if he were to take fake medicines that could bring more harm than good?

In one of our hearings during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's investigation into the 'Tara System' in the Bureau of Customs, I disclosed that the smuggling of fake goods kill local industries because they could not compete with the lower price of fake merchandise that are being sold in the market. We also found out during our investigation that fake drugs are also among the items that are being smuggled into the country. The rampant smuggling in the Bureau of Customs is tantamount to economic sabotage and a major factor that causes poverty. It is high time that that we drain the cesspool in the Bureau of Customs.

We, in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, will aid the President and the FDA by continuing to investigate, not only the entry of fake medicines, but also the rampant smuggling which rob the government of billions in duties and taxes. More than arresting and charging peddlers of these fake medicines; the syndicate behind the illegal operations should be unmasked and be held accountable.

News Latest News Feed