Manila Mayor Isko wants 2 Chinese deported for ‘Province of China’ tag
Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso has sought the deportation of two Chinese businessmen whose hair care product listed its address in Manila as a “province of China.”
Domagoso said the address in the label of Ashley keratin treatment of Elegant Fumes Beauty Product Inc. was “an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines.”
Domagoso said the cosmetics company, whose two stores and two stalls in Manila were closed by local authorities on Thursday, also engaged in online selling without any permit.
The firm violated the Consumer Act and the Food and Drugs Administration Act, Domagoso said.
In a letter to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, Domagoso asked for deportation proceedings against the company’s incorporators, Shi Zhong Xing and Li Li.
“Their utter disrespect to the country as shown by the violations of EFBPI should not be countenanced,” Domagoso said.
“We cannot let these foreign nationals insult our nation and our people,” he said.
PBA Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles earlier asked the trade department to ban the Chinese beauty product.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had brushed off the issue, saying: “Sa akin, kalokohan lang iyan (That’s foolishness).”
“Hindi dapat pinapansin iyan dahil wala naman maniniwala na tayo ay probinsya ng Tsina (You shouldn’t pay attention to that because no one will believe that we are a province of China.),” Roque said, noting that “we are proud to be Filipinos.”
The Philippine government has worked on fostering warmer ties with economic superpower China since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office four years ago.
In 2018, “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China” banners were displayed in parts of the capital.
Earlier this year, netizens also called out the “Philippines province of China” geotag after it trended on social media.d
Meanwhile, the Justice Department said the two manufacturers who tagged Manila as China province in their cosmetics product may be held liable for liable for ‘mislabeling.’
DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the DOJ and the Department of Trade and Industry will investigate the matter and give the people involved an opportunity to explain their side.
“And if the product itself has not been approved for local use by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the violation takes on a more serious character,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters.
According to the DOJ chief, the investigation will start as soon as a formal complaint is filed.
“The end goal is of course to determine any administrative and/or criminal liability after a proper investigation,” he said.
Guevarra also said tht the Chinese nationals may be deported for willful or malicious violation of domestic laws, rules and regulations.
“Willful or malicious violation of domestic laws, rules and regulations is a ground for deportation after an alien has been duly prosecuted and penalized in our country,” he said.