Salceda calls for transparency, stricter measures to avoid resale of seized smuggled cigarettes

ALBAY 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda has called for greater transparency and stricter measures to prevent the suspected resale of seized smuggled cigarettes, urging the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to provide regular updates on their inventory of illicit goods.

Salceda commended BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio for taking swift action on reports that some officials may have been involved in the resale of confiscated cigarettes. “At any given time, there are billions’ worth of smuggled or illicit cigarettes in government storages,” he said.

To curb this issue, Salceda is pushing for the immediate destruction of seized tobacco products, except for a small portion needed as evidence. This provision is included in his proposed House Bill No. 11286, or the Anti-Illicit Tobacco Trade Act, which has already been approved on its third reading in the House of Representatives.

“As a matter of law, it does not make sense that the government has large quantities of smuggled products in storage for evidence,” Salceda stressed. He argued that promptly disposing of confiscated tobacco would prevent the possibility of these products being resold illegally.

Salceda also called for official inquiries into whether Congress could be regularly updated on BIR and BOC’s inventory of illicit goods, particularly excisable products like tobacco. “For now, transparency in the government’s store of seized goods will help prevent future incidents,” he added.

The suspected resale of seized cigarettes highlights ongoing challenges in the government’s fight against illicit tobacco trade, as authorities continue to crack down on smuggling operations across the country.