NATIONAL, 19 OCTOBER, 2020 (GPN): Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) admission that it received grants from two international anti-tobacco organizations cast a serious cloud over the agency’s independence and credibility as an impartial implementer of regulations, according to an Asian coalition of tobacco harm reduction
advocates.
“We are shocked and aghast by the admission of the FDA that they received money from The Union and Bloomberg Initiative. These groups are known advocates of prohibition for all forms of tobacco products including better alternatives to cigarettes like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products,” said Clarisse Virgino, the Philippine representative to the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction
Advocates or CAPHRA—a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organizations.
“Thus it comes now as no surprise that the Administrative Order drafted by the FDA, if adopted, would virtually constitute a de-facto ban on vapes and HTPs,” Virgino said.
During a virtual public consultation last Oct. 8, the FDA confirmed receipt of grants from The Union and Bloomberg Initiative when confronted by Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing. With the shocking admission, Deputy House Speaker Deogracias Victor Savellano moved to conduct a full-blown House of Representatives investigation on the FDA.
“How can a regulator who received money from a foreign vested interest group be counted on by the Filipino people to be an impartial dispenser of rules? Virgino asked.
“The FDA agenda is crystal clear. For the 16 million Filipino smokers, the only option is to quit or die.
To the 1 million vapers, go back to smoking cigarettes,” she added.
Virgino reminded the FDA that the solicitation or acceptance of gifts is prohibited under Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, especially if
it involves a piece of regulation.
“Section 7 of RA 6713 prohibits public officials and employees from soliciting or accepting, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in
the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office. It is clear that funds received from anti-vaping groups
would jeopardize FDA’s treatment of tobacco harm reduction products such as e-cigarettes and HTPs,” she said.
“The FDA, as a regulator, is supposed to be an independent body free from the influence of any foreign or local institution that tries to push their own interests. It is supposed to safeguard public health, and not
become a subordinate to moneyed foreign groups,” she said.

Virgino said the FDA was tasked to prepare the guidelines for the implementation of existing laws such as Republic Act No. 11346, RA 11467 and Executive Order No. 106, and not contradict those laws, as the
foreign lobby groups wanted.
“This is a conflict of interest on the part of FDA, because Bloomberg Initiative is known to be disbursing millions of dollars around the world to demonize vaping without the benefit of any scientific validation. No
wonder, the FDA intends to subject e-cigarettes and HTPs to the most strict of regulations despite the lack of any meaningful discussions,” Virgino said.
CAPHRA expressed support to the call of Deputy Speaker Savellano for a congressional inquiry into the acceptance of grants from anti-vaping groups by FDA. Savellano and Rep. Suansing also called for the suspension of public hearings by the FDA following its admission that it received funds from The Union and Bloomberg Initiative. ENDS
About CAPHRA
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates (CAPHRA) is a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organizations. Its mission is to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that
reduce harm from tobacco use.