Tag: Customs

US State Department Flags Corruption In The Philippines As Barrier To Investment

US State Department Flags Corruption In The Philippines As Barrier To Investment

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Corruption is sadly deeply rooted here in the Philippines. So much so, the State Department of the United States flagged corruption as a barrier to investment in the Philippines, according to a GMA Network news report. To be clear, there have been economic forecasts about the Philippine economy growing less than 6% this year (possibly ending below the national government’s declared targets) and the US State Department published its detailed report about the country and investment online. As a lot of people are angry over corruption, tremendous economic damage of P1.7 trillion in market capitalization was wiped out (update: the Securities and Exchange Commission chairman apologized for stating the P1.7 trillion figure).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

The United States Department of State has flagged “pervasive” corruption in the Philippines as among the major barriers to foreign investment in the country.

In its 2025 Investment Climate report, the US State Department said “corruption is a pervasive and long-standing problem in both the public and private sector” in the Philippines.

It also cited the country’s rank of 114th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index and “remaining around that level since 2019.”

The State Department added that the World Economic Forum also flagged corruption as among the top problematic factors for doing business in the Philippines.

“The Philippines’ complex, slow, redundant, and sometimes corrupt judicial system inhibits the timely and fair resolution of commercial disputes,” it said.

“Foreign investors describe the inefficiency and uncertainty of the judicial system as a significant barrier to investment. Investors often decline to file cases in court because of slow and complex litigation processes and fears of corruption. Stakeholders report an inexperienced judiciary when confronted with cases involving complex issues such as technology or science,” it added.

The State Department also said its embassy in Manila has received multiple reports from US businesses of overly invasive searches, inconsistent customs charges, and solicitations of “facilitation fees” (such as bribes) from some customs officials.

To see the entire 2025 Investment Climate Statements about the Philippines, click https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/philippines

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the US State Department’s 2025 Investment Climate report about the Philippines is true and accurate? Are you concerned that the perceived corruption as well as the shocking revelations about the flood control projects scandals are already discouraging foreign investors from investing in the country? Do you think the Trump tariffs will eventually bring down Philippine exports to the United States in the next few months? What do you think the Philippine government should do to wipe out corruption and regain the trust of foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

P85 million worth of assorted products in Parañaque City seized by BOC

P85 million worth of assorted products in Parañaque City seized by BOC

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Recently in the city of Parañaque, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized about P85 million worth of agricultural products, beverages and other imported items after doing an inspection at a local warehouse, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

An inspection of a warehouse in Parañaque City has yielded around PHP85 million worth of smuggled frozen agricultural and beverage products, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Sunday.

Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said the operation was conducted after he issued a Letter of Authority (LOA) by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service-Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) on Sept. 5.

Rubio said operatives of the CIIS-MICP served the LOA to a representative of the warehouse that was found containing various poultry, meat and other products from China suspected to be without proper customs duties and taxes. 

“The audacity of these people to smuggle and hide agricultural products right in the heart of Metro Manila is beyond me. They belittle our laws and make a mockery of our hardworking Customs agents by thinking they can operate these illegal activities just a few kilometers from our port,” he said in a statement.

BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said they found frozen duck meat, chicken meat, pork meat and food items with Chinese markings, and assorted food and beverage with foreign markings.

“The initial inventory found that these poultry products will amount to about PHP85 million in the market. But we’re still determining the actual cost once final inventory is conducted by our examiners,” he said.

The warehouse was temporarily padlocked and sealed to protect the subjected goods as the final inventory will be conducted by the assigned Customs examiner and witnessed by warehouse representatives, CIIS and Enforcement and Security Service.

The owners of the warehouses will be given 15 days to present the proper documents to clear out allegations they were hoarding imported agricultural products.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that more imported products may have been smuggled into the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Customs officials seize P140 million-worth of undeclared agricultural products in Muntinlupa City

Customs officials seize P140 million-worth of undeclared agricultural products in Muntinlupa City

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In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, elements of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized several undeclared agricultural products estimated to be worth almost P140 million, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The seizure happened before 2022 ended and there is a disturbing trend happening lately.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Saturday reported the seizure of undeclared agricultural products amounting close to PHP140 million from a Muntinlupa City-based company.

According to Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, the containers were declared to contain udon noodles and frozen dimsum balls, but upon examination, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service at Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP) found that it contained undeclared fresh red and white onions, frozen ox tripe, frozen barbecue, and frozen crawfish.

The PHP139,769,500 worth of undeclared agricultural products underwent examinations from Dec. 27 to 29, 2022.

The shipments arrived from China between Nov. 27, 2022 and Dec. 3, 2022 at the MICP and were consigned to Taculog J International Consumer Goods Trading located at B4 L7 Mariategui HMOA, Alabang.

Ruiz said he was surprised that the same company almost managed to bring in hundreds of millions worth of smuggled agricultural products into the country in less than two months.

“Although I am proud of our men and what they were able to accomplish these past weeks, I am appalled at the gall of these groups. We have reports coming in that a kilo of red onions sells for PHP720 in the markets. Bringing a hot commodity like onions into our borders without going through the proper procedures is an affront to our farmers, the people who make sure we have enough supply of it,” he said in a statement.

The operation came after the bureau reported the apprehension of PHP171.35 million worth of smuggled agricultural products, including fresh red and white onions, from containers that arrived between Nov. 12 and Dec. 3, 2022 consigned to the same company.

The shipment that arrived on Nov. 25 and examined on Dec. 28 was initially declared to contain frozen lobster, frozen prawn balls, and frozen crab stick but was later found to also have undeclared frozen ox tripe worth PHP15.5 million.

On the other hand, containers that arrived on Nov. 27 and examined from Dec. 27 to 29, were declared to have udon noodles, frozen lobster, frozen prawn balls, and frozen crab sticks. But upon examination, these containers had undeclared fresh red onions, frozen barbecue, and frozen crawfish that amounted to PHP46.75 million.

Four shipments that arrived on Dec. 3 and examined from Dec. 27 to 29, were declared to contain only udon noodles, but examiners instead found undeclared fresh red and white onions amounting to an estimated total value of PHP77,519,500.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? How expensive are the prices of agricultural products right now locally?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Raid in Parañaque City results in confiscation of P45 million worth of used and fake products

Raid in Parañaque City results in confiscation of P45 million worth of used and fake products

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A new crime-related development took place in the City of Parañaque recently, only this time it is about the seizure of several used and fake items which the Manila Standard reported. The seizure was done by Customs agents.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Standard report. Some parts in boldface…

Custom agents have seized P45 million worth of used clothing and “counterfeit” products in Parañaque City.

The contraband was confiscated during a raid by a team from the Customs Intelligence Group on a warehouse along Baltao Road. The haul consisted of 3,300 bales of used clothing and counterfeit apparel bearing the brands Crocs, Adidas, and Nike, among others.

The operation was conducted during the weekend as ordered by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

As customers shop online due to the pandemic lockdowns, fake products proliferated, prompting the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to seek the help of law enforcers, notably the Bureau of Customs.

IPOPHL revealed that complaints on counterfeiting and piracy filed in 2020 with the agency surge to 121 as the coronavirus pandemic presented lucrative opportunities for unscrupulous traders.

The above report ended stating that Republic Act Number 4653 (RA4653) bans the importation of used clothes (also referred to as “ukay-ukay”) to protect the health of Filipinos and preserve Filipino dignity.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, do you believe that a warehouse or a household near you is being used as storage for used clothing and other fake products? In relation to the highlighted news report, do you think that there is a crime syndicate behind the seized items? Do you think Parañaque has lots of spots used for smuggling and the storage of bulks worth of used and fake products? Are you concerned that products you recently bought through the retailers around Parañaque and online are possibly illegitimate?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Billions of Pesos worth of fake goods seized in Parañaque City

Billions of Pesos worth of fake goods seized in Parañaque City

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To the people of Parañaque City, did you notice something highly unusual in your community? Did you somehow purchase items that turned out to be fake? Have you been often using the products you bought recently?

Well, you might want to practice caution because a few days ago it was reported through the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that billions of pesos worth of fake products were seized by Customs agents in the City of Parañaque, specifically in Barangay Baclaran (or simply Baclaran as written in the report).

You want details? Check out this excerpt from the PNA’s report. Some parts in boldface…

Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers have seized some PHP2 billion worth of various counterfeit items in Parañaque City.

In a statement on Friday, the bureau said the goods were seized during an inspection of storage facilities by the Intelligence Group’s Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) in Baclaran on Thursday.

The items are composed of earphones, shoes, and bags bearing known registered trademarks such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Onitsuka Tiger, Vans, Adidas, Nike, JBL, Sony, and Jordan.

The team also discovered counterfeit personal care products such as Cetaphil, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Vaseline, Jergens, Dove, Nivea, Glutamax, Kojic, Joe Malone, Bulgari, D&G, Channel, Victoria’s Secret, Hugo Boss, and Clinique.

The haul is one of the bureau’s biggest seizure of counterfeit goods this year.

The inspection was conducted through a letter of authority (LOA) and mission order (MO) signed by Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

The imported items were seized for the possible violation of Section 118 (f) of the Republic Act (RA) 10863 also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and RA 8293 also known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (IPCP).

The BOC also stated that beauty products and perfume found to be fake may contain chemicals that are toxic and harmful to users. Now check out this related news video.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about the Philippine News Agency’s report and the above news video? Did you notice something strange going on in your local community there in Parañaque City? Do you believe that fake goods are being moved around your community? Who do you think is responsible for all those fake goods that the BOC seized in Baclaran?

Now that you read about the fake goods raided by Customs, do you feel discouraged about online shopping?

Have you heard about the Parañaque Renaissance? If you did, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673