Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on Monday expressed optimism that the Senate will soon start the investigation on the proliferation of fake products, most of which are beauty aids.
Estrada said victims of fake products have been complaining about misleading celebrity endorsements and deceptive posts on social media.
He observed the proliferation of advertisements and possible sale of unregistered food and drug products.
“I hope the investigation, in aid of legislation, into these practices and products will be calendared soon,” Estrada added.
Estrada earlier filed Senate Resolution 666 for the appropriate Senate committee to investigate the matter, citing the risks that the scams
pose to unsuspecting consumers.
In the resolution, Estrada noted the spread of online marketing materials and impostor pages or accounts promoting unregistered
products that promise treatments for various ailments or wellness benefits using the names and pictures of local personalities and
celebrities
Estrada added: “These advertisements mislead consumers into believing that these celebrities are using and endorsing food and medicinal
products that are actually unregistered before the proper health authorities and not yet approved for mass distribution and public
consumption.”
He stressed the need to identify and address possible loopholes in the existing laws and regulations as he emphasized the importance of
updating their provisions due to the extensive use of social media platforms and cyberspace by the erring sellers.
In addition, Estrada called attention to “the alarming use of maliciously manipulated images, spliced videos, and fabricated statements in the promotion of food and health products.”