THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has been asked to deport a famous Taiwanese vlogger and social-media influencer for selling cosmetic products that are unregistered with and deemed hazardous by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The deportation of vlogger Yun-I-Wong, popularly known as Winnie Wong and Penelope Pop, was sought by the Action for Consumerism and Transparency (ACTION) in a letter sent to the BI’s Board of Special Inquiry chaired by Ronaldo Ledesma.
ACTION Secretary-General Vito Gaspar Silo said it anchored its complaint against Wong on media reports, indicating that the vlogger is only staying in the Philippines using a Special Investors Residence Visa.
Despite this, however, Wong managed to get jobs in the Philippines as an endorser.
She also started a venture as a retailer, which is not allowed in the conditions set for her visa.
Worse, the group said, Wong’s company, TGWW, which she founded with a local actress, has been accused of selling a cologne line called “Pouf!” which was the subject of an FDA public warning advisory last week for containing potential health hazards such as “heavy metals.”
“The media also discovered that TGWW is operating without an FDA license [they are only registered to sell notebook, bags and toiletries] and that they are using Wong’s home address located in #7 North Park Kawayan Street, Forbes Park, Makati as base of operations,” Silo wrote.
Just last week, the FDA warned the public not to buy Pouf! because post-marketing surveillance shows the product has no valid Certificate of Product Notification.
“Potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of a cosmetic product or from the contamination of heavy metals. The use of substandard and possibly adulterated cosmetic products may result to adverse reactions including, but not limited to, skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock and organ failure,” the FDA said in its Advisory 2020-2188.
FDA Director General Eric Domingo said selling cosmetic products without government license and registration could be criminally charged for violation of Republic Act 8711, or the FDA Act of 2009.
According to section 12 of the said law, violators of this act could suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from one year but not more than ten years or a fine of not less than P50,000.00 but not more than P500,000.00.
“Yun-I (Wong) is here on a special investor’s visa. We would like to know: Does this allow her to sell cosmetic products online, without bothering to secure FDA certification? Does her visa also allow her to take on jobs or projects here as an endorser for local brands?” the group asked.
“If the answer is in the negative, we would like to appeal for the Bureau of Immigration to commence appropriate charges against her. We owe it to the public to correct whatever wrongdoings committed by any foreigner living in our country,” it added