The first seven months have proven tough on customs personnel under Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio whose enforcement of intellectual property rights resulted to the confiscation of P21.3 billion worth of counterfeit products.
Rubio shared the experience Wednesday with delegates to the Asia Security Conference and Exhibition in Singapore where he discussed the BOC’s unwavering commitment in combating counterfeiting, safeguarding trademarks, and protecting brands in the Philippines.
The event celebrated recent achievements in the field of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection and Rubio proudly shared that the Philippines has maintained a clean 10-year record in the so-called United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Report.
Countries under the Special 301 Report are judged to have inadequate intellectual property laws and consequently come under US sanctions, including stiffer tariff rates on commodities entering US markets. This report is updated every year.
Rubio also reported the Philippines was recently delisted and for the first time taken off the priority watch list of the European Union (EU) as the country’s measures honoring its IPR commitments gaine traction.
To combat the importation and exportation of counterfeit goods, Rubio said the BOC has been relentless in its pursuit of IPR violators. He highlighted the BOC’s Five-Point Priority Program, which includes protecting the borders from illicit activities while promoting lawful trade and economic prosperity.
The BOC’s Intelligence Group played a crucial role in developing strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies, trade owners, and stakeholders to achieve these significant results.
While celebrating these accomplishments, Rubio acknowledged the challenges ahead.
Two major challenges discussed include the expeditious facilitation of trade through brand certification/verification by brand owners and the emergence of e-commerce as a contributor to counterfeiting.
He urged e-commerce platforms to tighten their policy approaches to the issue and to monitor retailers and prohibit illicit products from being sold on their platforms.
Rubio expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share the BOC’s initiatives at the Asia Security Conference Exhibition. He emphasized that collaboration and cooperation among nations and stakeholders are vital in the fight against counterfeiting and the protection of IPR.
He reiterated the BOC’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the interests of the Philippines, pledging to sustain the effort in securing borders and ensuring a safe environment for legitimate trade and economic growth.
With Rubio at the event were Director Verne Enciso of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, Chief Paul Oliver Pacunayen of the Intellectual Property Rights Division, and Denise Asantor of the Office of the Commissioner.
