A company whose warehouse in Valenzuela City was discovered to be containing P1.4 billion worth of unregistered vapes in October 2023 should face tax evasion charges, a House of Representatives panel said in a report.
The report noted that Flava Corp. has no registered brands for import and no facility capable of domestic manufacturing. The committee also recommended the filing of charges against Flava Corp. under Section 263 of the NIRC for unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without proper payment. The NIRC prescribes a fine of P10 million to P20 million and imprisonment of 10 to 12 years for those convicted of this offense, which applies to goods with an appraised value exceeding P1 million.
The recommendations aim to stop the spread of illegal trade and ensure compliance with tax regulations, protecting both the market’s integrity and public health. The inspection revealed 14,000 boxes containing around 1.4 million pieces of 10-milliliter disposable vapes marked “Flava,” with an estimated value of P700 million and an excise tax requirement of P728 million.