Senator Win Gatchalian has called on the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to collaborate and take decisive steps in prosecuting offenders involved in the illicit tobacco trade, highlighting the disturbingly low conviction rate for such cases.

“We are losing the fight against the illicit trade of tobacco and cigarettes because we are not prosecuting or convicting enough. The conviction rate is below 1% for all seizures, and that’s not encouraging. Without fear of consequences, these illegal activities continue unchecked,” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, during a recent Senate hearing.

Gatchalian stressed that the certainty of conviction serves as a critical deterrent, urging prosecutors to secure favorable court rulings. “We may be making arrests, but no one is being imprisoned,” he lamented.

To address this, Gatchalian suggested that the DOJ, BOC, and BIR implement capacity-building initiatives and offer specialized training for law enforcement personnel. This would ensure they are well-equipped to conduct raids and seizures effectively, minimizing the chances of cases being dismissed due to technicalities.

The senator also called for improved mechanisms for preserving and collecting evidence, better witness preparation, and enhanced coordination between the agencies for more effective surveillance, entrapment, and search and seizure operations.

“These seizures are starting to look like mere showmanship. Ultimately, what we want are convictions, but that’s not happening,” Gatchalian concluded.