Phantom Congressmen & Fake Tax Stamps: The ₱4.5-Billion-a-Month Ghost Story Remulla Won’t Name

Where Two Luzon Solons Play Hide-and-Seek While ₱400 Million in Illegal Yosi Burns Daily

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — February 7, 2026

MGA ka-kweba, imagine this: while you struggle with taxes and overpriced cigarettes, two mysterious congressmen from Northern Luzon supposedly pose as defenders of the people by day, but by night finance a syndicate churning out ₱400 million worth of illegal cigarettes in a single day.

₱400 million daily—monthly that’s ₱4.5 billion from just one factory in Mexico, Pampanga. And the government? Losing ₱30 billion in excise tax revenue in a single year.

This is the perfect example of our national comedy: “economic sabotage” scripted by politicians, directed by syndicates, and funded with our own money.

And the most comical part? Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, our new tough-on-crime hero, declaring that two congressmen are involved—but refusing to name them. Classic Philippine trope: “There are congressmen allegedly involved, but it’s still an ongoing investigation” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 6 Feb. 2026). Like a teleserye with no finale reveal.

***“Catch the encore tomorrow—same ghost writers, same ghost congressmen, brand-new ghosted investigation!”***

Anatomy of Impunity: Cutting Through the Laws They Hope You’ll Never Read

First, the core crimes. This isn’t simple smuggling—it’s domestic manufacturing using counterfeit Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax stamps, making it outright economic sabotage under Republic Act No. 12022, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Under Section 3, the illegal manufacture and distribution of agricultural products (including tobacco) valued over ₱1 million is criminalized—here we have ₱400 million daily, so it easily qualifies. Penalty? Life imprisonment, non-bailable, plus fines up to five times the value of the goods.

At the same time, this constitutes human trafficking under Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended. Sixty-five Filipino workers were “rescued”—confined in makeshift barracks with no windows, no electric fans, sleeping on pallets, and unpaid for their promised ₱15,000 monthly wages. That’s qualified trafficking: forced labor and involuntary servitude. Life imprisonment again.

And the National Internal Revenue Code (Republic Act No. 8424, as amended)? Clear-cut tax stamp fraud and excise tax evasion—penal provisions carrying imprisonment and substantial fines.

Now the due process theater. In his press briefing, Remulla released “intelligence reports” claiming two congressmen are the masterminds—but refused to name them.

The 1987 Constitution, Article III, Section 14(2) is crystal clear: presumption of innocence. Public statements by officials on ongoing investigations risk creating prejudicial publicity that could undermine this constitutional guarantee.

The chain of culpability? Don’t stop at the Chinese nationals. Samyoung Global Corp. has three Filipino and two Korean incorporators—are they just fronts?

The property owner—conspiracy? The Local Government Units (LGUs) that issued (or failed to issue) permits—potential violations of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code and Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

And the BIR—how did counterfeit tax stamps slip through? This is systemic failure, not just one rogue factory.

Motivational Psycho-Drama: What’s Really Behind the Smoke?

Remulla—is this a genuine crusade, or just posturing for 2028? The timing is perfect: after raids in Batangas and Malabon, suddenly an “entire ecosystem” controlled by two congressmen.

The phantom congressmen—if guilty, is it pure graft, territorial control of the illicit market, or financing political war chests?

The syndicate’s business case is brutally simple: ₱15,000 wages for workers, yet ₱4.5 billion monthly output. Almost pure profit because there are no taxes.

And the enablers—LGUs, lawyers who set up the corporation, bankers who move the money—what’s their alibi? “We didn’t know” or “just following orders”?

Scenario Warfare: What Could Possibly Happen?

Remulla—will he name the congressmen, or let this fade into “ongoing investigation” purgatory?

The congressmen—will they invoke parliamentary immunity, launch a PR blitz, or use legal intimidation?

Possible resolutions? Full prosecution and impeachment is possible—but given Philippine political history, the most likely outcome is a sacrificial lamb (only the Chinese nationals go down) while the connected Filipinos slip away on technicalities.

Consequential Calculus: What’s Really at Stake?

If they succeed—a genuine blow to illicit trade, recovered revenue for health programs, and a precedent that even the powerful can be jailed for economic sabotage.

If they fail—the ultimate reinforcement of impunity. A clear signal that every syndicate just needs a politician on retainer.

The Verdict and Call to Action: Don’t Let This Smoke Dissipate

Fellow citizens, this isn’t just about cigarettes—it’s a Russian doll of criminality.

I demand—immediately transfer the investigation to a credible, independent body: the Ombudsman, or a special prosecutor with no ties to Remulla or the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Prosecution without fear or favor. The Rule of Law must be the only sovereign.

And when the usual defenses come—“political persecution,” “fake news”—just laugh. It’s the same tired script we’ve heard before.

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