Marikina City 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo has filed a resolution calling for a congressional investigation into large-scale cigarette smuggling and its impact on public health and government revenues.
Under House Resolution No. 636, Quimbo cited the January 1 seizure of 32 trucks carrying alleged smuggled cigarettes worth ₱2.6 billion in Batangas and Malabon City.
He said the shipment represented an estimated ₱875.16 million in foregone tax revenues based on the 2026 excise tax rate.
“Kung hindi napipigilan ang malakihang smuggling, bumabagsak ang presyo ng sigarilyo. And the stark price gap between legal and smuggled cigarettes waters down the effect of sin taxes and other health reforms we have so far achieved,” Quimbo said.
“At sa patuloy na smuggling ng sigarilyo, mas nagiging accessible ang bisyo sa kabataan at mahihirap nating kababayan. Patuloy din nawawalan ng pondo ang gobyerno para sa mga health programs, lalo ng PhilHealth,” he added.
Quimbo said the seizure highlighted the persistence of organized cigarette smuggling, noting that in 2023 the Bureau of Internal Revenue estimated government losses of ₱25.5 billion due to illicit tobacco trade.
“While our law enforcement agencies have been vigilant on this case, the magnitude of the issue demonstrates the need for systemic reforms. Smugglers must be prevented from profiting at the expense of public health and taxpayers,” he said.
The resolution seeks a review of enforcement mechanisms, inter-agency coordination, and penalties to close regulatory gaps, tighten oversight of the tobacco supply chain, and ensure smugglers are prosecuted to protect public health and legitimate businesses.