HOUSE Deputy Majority leader and ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo revealed yesterday that hundreds of thousands of workers in the country will be affected and lose their jobs if the rampant online sales of sub-standard and fake products, mostly from China, are not stopped.

Because of this, Tulfo will file this Monday, along with his colleagues in the ACT-CIS partylist, Reps. Edvic Yap, Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, a resolution for Congress to investigate the “unfair online sales practices” of offshore appliances that are mostly from China and are directly imported into the country and sold at a cheaper price.

“Kung hindi ito mapipigilan, maraming manufacturers sa Pilipinas na sumusunod sa tamang alituntunin ng batas natin ang mapipilitang magsara dahil sa pagkalugi. At kapag nangyari ito siguradong daan-daang libong kababayan natin ang mawawalan ng trabaho,” Tulfo said in a statement.

The lawmaker said that as many as 15 businessmen, mostly manufacturers and sellers of appliances, personally came to his office to seek help because their business has been affected by the rampant sale of sub-standard and fake products that are sold at cheaper prices.

“Itong mga negosyante na ito, sila yung mga nagbabayad ng tamang buwis at sumusunod sa lahat ng regulasyon at alituntunin na pinaiiral ng ating batas. Pero sila ang lubos na apektado at ngayon at nalulugi dahil sa hindi patas na bentahan sa merkado,” Tulfo stressed.

Among the local manufacturers who approached Tulfo’s office and asked for help were the American Home, Asahi, Astron, Camel, Carribean, Concepcion, Cooldaddy, Dowell, Eureka, Fujidenzo, Hanabishi, Karrlsson, Kyowa, Kuchenluxe, Nikon, Nova, Tefal, Tiger, Union and 3D, which have a combined total of 300,000 Pinoy workers.

“Huwag na nating hintayin na tuluyan silang malugi at magsara ang kanilang mga kumpanya bago tayo kumilos kapag nawalan na ng trabaho ang daan libo nating mga kababayan,” said Tulfo.

Tulfo also questioned government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) as to why they seem to just let 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 our government.

According to the resolution: “the newly enacted Republic Act No. 11967, otherwise known as the Internet Transactions Act, provides for a regulatory framework that requires players in e-commerce to adhere to specific rules and regulations on the protection and promotion of innovation, competition, secure online transactions, and environmental sustainability.”

“Despite this regulatory framework, there have been reports that offshore brands, particularly those from China, have been allowed to directly deliver items to the country—through platforms like Shopee and Lazada, without adhering to the same taxation and regulatory requirements imposed upon domestic appliance manufacturers,” it added.

The resolution also stressed that most of the “offshore brands” didn’t undergo government regulations, that’s why they can sell their products in a cheaper price.

“After receiving complaints about establishments that sell uncertified appliances, the DTI recently raided and seized appliances imported from China and Korea without Import Commodity Clearance stickers—a significant indication in the packaging which proves that the product is safe, of good quality, and is not harmful to its user,” according to the resolution of the lawmakers.