QC gov’t probes delivery of 1,100 pairs of fake sneakers

MANILA, Philippines — More than 1,000 pairs of branded rubber shoes paid for by the Quezon City government and given to athletes have turned out to be fake, said Mayor Joy Belmonte, who vowed legal action against the supplier and a wider crackdown on others delivering counterfeit goods.

In a statement on Sunday, the local government said it had received reports that fake commodities were being delivered by several suppliers and distributors of goods to the city, including the 1,100 pairs of shoes provided to athletes set to join national events.

In a swipe at her predecessor, former Mayor Herbert Bautista, Belmonte also ordered the Internal Audit Services to “investigate allegations that the delivery of fake commodities was a common practice in the past administration.”

The statement did not mention which supplier had delivered the shoes but said Belmonte would demand that the city legal office prosecute those involved for violating the Consumer Protection Act and Procurement Act, among other related laws.

“If proven, the supplier of these fake shoes should be held accountable under the law because apart from being illegal, it has endangered the morale of our athletes and credibility of our city,” Belmonte said.—Matthew Reysio-Cruz INQ