‘IT’S EITHER USELESS, LAZY, OR WAITING FOR A BRIBE’ Senator Raffy Tulfo displayed the counterfeit medicines he purchased in Binondo and Quiapo, while questioning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its failure to intercept such products, along with other issues. Tulfo reiterated his call for FDA Director General Paolo Teston to resign from his position.
Binondo
Binondo, located in Manila, Philippines, is recognized as the world’s oldest Chinatown, established in 1594 by Spanish colonial authorities as a settlement for Catholic Chinese immigrants. Throughout its history, it has served as a vital center for commerce and Chinese-Filipino culture, blending Chinese and Spanish influences in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Today, it remains a bustling district famous for its historic churches, vibrant markets, and authentic culinary scene.
Quiapo
Quiapo is a historic district in Manila, Philippines, best known as the home of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, a revered Catholic icon. The area has been a major center of commerce and popular devotion since the Spanish colonial period, with its bustling market and the annual January procession drawing millions of devotees.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a United States federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. It was formally established in its modern form with the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act, a landmark law passed in response to public outrage over unsanitary conditions in the food industry, and its regulatory powers have expanded significantly over the following century.
