MANILA – Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation on the business firm selling beauty products with a label stating its Manila address as “province” of China.
In a letter addressed to NBI director Eric Distor, Moreno said that he is requesting NBI to investigate the business operations of Elegant Fumes Beauty Products Inc. and file criminal complaints if warranted.
“We are looking forward to your prompt response on this matter. We are willing to submit relevant documents in our possession which may aid your office in the investigation,” Moreno said.
The company’s hair care product, “Ashley Shine Keratin Treatment Deep Repair,” stated in its label that its address in Binondo is a “province of the People’s Republic of China,” which Moreno said “is an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines and an insult to its duly constituted authorities.”
“Ang Binondo ay bahagi po ng Maynila, at ang Maynila ay Pilipinas. Ang Maynila ang kapitolyo ng bansa. Hindi po ito probinsya ng China. At ni minsan, hindi ito naging bahagi ng Tsina sa ano mang lahatlain o kasayasayan na naitala sa panahon natin at sa panahon ng mga ninuno natin,” 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,” he added.
Moreno added that the firm had supposedly violated some provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippines and the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 as well as engaging in online selling without the needed permits.
“Hindi natin hahayaan ang mga superpower na ‘yan na parang tayo ay pinipitik-pitik lang sa mata at binabalewala nila ang soberentiya ng ating bansa,” Moreno said./PN
