DTI investigates entry of 'Filipinos' chocolate biscuits in PHL market

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez on Monday said the agency is investigating the entry of an imported chocolate biscuit in the Philippine market with the brand name, "Filipinos."

"If you try to recall what's in the law, at least in the Philippine law, sa trademark, we are not allowing the use of a country or a nationality as a brand," Lopez said in Cedric Castillo's report on GMA's 24 Oras.

"But since it is from Spain and siguro kung binebenta 'yan sa Spain at saka other places at wala namang ganung batas sa kanila, they are free to do so but once it enters the Philippine market, dapat bawalan natin 'yun," he added.

The chocolate-covered biscuit from Spain, which is being sold at a membership shopping center in the country, bears the description "chocolate negro" in its label, which means dark chocolate in English.

Lopez said the connotation of the label could possibly spark a cultural issue.

"Somebody has to file a complaint. It could be from our cultural commission or Philippine historical commission if they want to file a protest pag nabasa itong chocolate negro. Ano ba ang ini-imply nito? It connotes another thing. So 'yun 'yung potential issue lang," he said.

Former congressman Heherson Alvarez filed a resolution in Congress in 1999 urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to protest the said brand of biscuit. The result of the move remains unclear.

After two decades, the biscuit is still sold in the country.

GMA News is trying to get the comment of the biscuit manufacturer and the membership shopping center where it is being sold but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News