Rep. Nathaniel Oducado of 1Tahanan Partylist urged Congress to impose stiffer penalties on cigarette and tobacco smugglers following the seizure of over P1.5 billion in illegal cigarettes in Malabon City.
He filed House Bill 6965, which targets organized and large-scale smugglers, including financiers and masterminds, and proposes classifying such activities as economic sabotage.
Oducado cited recent seizures across the country, including P143 million in Quezon City and P120 million in Pampanga, as evidence of systemic smuggling operations.
He warned that smuggling undermines public revenue, distorts fair competition, and threatens public health.
Illegal cigarettes in the Philippine market have risen from 7.4% in 2021 to 18.4% by 2024, with projections reaching 21% of total sales.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 4, 2026
HOUSE SEEKS TOUGHER MEASURES FOR MAJOR TOBACCO SMUGGLING CASES
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