Overview: Batangas conviction reinforces fight against counterfeit tobacco
A regional trial court in Lipa City, Batangas, has convicted two men for selling and distributing counterfeit cigarettes, underscoring the government’s ongoing campaign against illicit tobacco trade across the Philippines. The September 2025 ruling marks another notable milestone in the country’s efforts to protect consumers and safeguard public revenue from tax evasion linked to fake tobacco products.
How the case unfolded
The conviction of Gilmor Catapang and Jovert Delos Santos stems from four consolidated criminal cases tied to activities in Barangay Poblacion, Padre Garcia, Batangas, on September 11, 2023. The court found that the defendants were involved in selling counterfeit cigarettes designed to imitate legitimate brands and mislead consumers into believing they were purchasing genuine products.
Under the decision, the defendants were found to have violated Sections 155.1 (Trademark Infringement) and 168.3 (Unfair Competition) of Republic Act No. 8293, also known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. The ruling demonstrates the judiciary’s willingness to apply intellectual property laws to combat counterfeit goods that harm both consumers and legitimate businesses.
Penalties and consequences
Authorities seized counterfeit goods with a total estimated value exceeding P800,000 as part of the case. In line with the verdict, Catapang and Delos Santos were each sentenced to two years of imprisonment per case and fined P50,000 per case, resulting in a combined penalty of P200,000. The court also ordered the destruction of the confiscated counterfeit cigarettes by October 2025 to prevent any further distribution or sale of the illicit products.
Broader context: national crackdown on illicit tobacco
The Batangas decision adds to a growing list of cases nationwide reflecting intensified efforts to combat counterfeit cigarettes and related tax evasion. In May 2025, police in Malabon City arrested a suspected trader for allegedly selling about P2 million worth of illicit cigarette products. A July 2025 conviction followed another case involving the sale of counterfeit brands valued at approximately P1.4 million.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), have intensified operations across regions. Earlier raids in Bulacan and Valenzuela in late 2024 uncovered counterfeit cigarette factories and warehouses, exposing a potential tax liability as high as P8.5 billion. In Cebu, an October 2024 operation yielded counterfeit internal revenue stamps, machinery, and more than 44,000 packs of fake cigarettes, with a reported tax liability of P107.7 million. In Negros Occidental, five traders were arrested in July 2025 for allegedly selling P4.7 million worth of illegal cigarette products.
Why these prosecutions matter
Counterfeit tobacco products pose a range of risks, from public health concerns to broader economic impacts. Unregulated and untaxed cigarettes can circumvent safety and quality controls, potentially endangering consumers. Moreover, tax evasion tied to counterfeit goods deprives the government of crucial revenue used to fund health, education, and infrastructure programs. The ongoing investigations and prosecutions signal a sustained commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring fair competition for legitimate manufacturers and retailers.
What to watch next
As authorities continue to pursue counterfeit cigarette networks, observers should monitor how courts apply intellectual property laws and whether additional penalties or asset seizures accompany future verdicts. The Batangas case may serve as a reference point for prosecutors seeking to deter illicit tobacco trades and strengthen enforcement against counterfeit goods nationwide.
