This April 11, 2013, photo shows Senator Pia S. Cayetano at the Supreme Court to file her motion to intervene in the case of the Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration against the Philippine Tobacco Institute to uphold the FDA Law of 2009. Photo from the Officer of Senator Pia S. Cayetano
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Pia Cayetano has lauded the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling upholding the Food and Drug Authority’s (FDA) regulatory authority over cigarettes and tobacco products.
“This is a major victory for our people and advocates for tobacco control and public health,” she said in a statement on Sunday.
Cayetano was the principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 9711 or the FDA Act of 2009, which mandated the body to regulate all products affecting health.
However, the tobacco industry rejected the FDA’s authority and sought to prevent it from regulating them.
READ: SC upholds FDA’s regulatory powers over tobacco products
“The health hazards of tobacco cannot be denied, and are backed by strong medical evidence. It is common sense that these products be subjected to strict regulation by a competent health authority,” Cayetano lamented.
“After a long judicial process, the SC has ruled in our favor by affirming FDA’s jurisdiction over cigarettes and tobacco products. As principal sponsor of RA 9711 and later, as an intervenor in this case along with Sen. Franklin Drilon, I laud our SC for this landmark decision,” she added.
The senator further said that the victory is for the Filipino people.
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Cayetano hoped that the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will pursue strengthening the country’s health systems.
“It is my hope that the incoming administration will continue to strengthen our health systems, and ensure that all harmful and potentially harmful products that should fall under the ambit of FDA’s authority are duly regulated to safeguard public health,” she said.
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