THE SECOND batch of seized Mighty Corp. cigarettes were destroyed yesterday, Dec. 12, and used as alternative fuel in producing cement.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III witnessed the burning of cigarettes worth P3.316 billion yesterday at Holcim Philippines’ cement plant in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Mr. Dominguez said the destruction of the illicit cigarettes would ensure that it wouldn’t be sold to the market. ​

“​We are destroying this stock of tobacco products to ensure none of them leaks back into the open market,” he said.

“​More important, we want to deliver the message that evasion does not pay. Our revenue agencies are alert, adept and empowered to ensure that taxes due, especially sin taxes, are properly collected.”

The cigarettes were used as alternative heating agents to coal, Holcim’s main source of fuel in producing cement.

The “co-processing” method pioneered by Holcim Geocycle ensures the total thermal destruction of waste materials, while reducing toxic gas emissions and land and groundwater pollution.

“We have chosen to partner with Holcim Geocycle. Holcim pioneered a co-processing method that ensures total destruction of waste materials with vastly reduced toxic gas emissions and avoids land and groundwater pollution. I want to thank Holcim for helping us out with this task. A few weeks ago, the Holcim facility in Davao disposed cigarette stocks also confiscated in Mindanao,” the Finance chief said. ​

This was the second time the government held such an event, with the first conducted in Holcim’s Davao plant last month.

Fake excise tax stamps were found affixed in Mighty’s cigarettes, leading the government to file tax evasion charges against the company. Mighty Corp. agreed to a P25-billion compromise settlement as it sold its business to Japan Tobacco. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

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