Gov’t Wants To Solve “Tuna War†Without Lawyersff
22 January 2010
Philippines Source: Manila Bulletin As the tuna war between the two companies worsens, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Wednesday said it will step into the fray.
Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya said the DTI is going to mediate between Century Pacific Group and Foodsphere Inc. to clarify certain issues raised in a letter from Foodsphere to Secretary Peter B. Favila.
Earlier, DTI met the representatives from both companies separately expressing willingness to sit down and talk.
“There were no lawyers, or at least DTI discouraged the presence of lawyers in these meetings as we deemed it unnecessary,†he said.
“It is our goal that the matter is settled amicably and we’re glad that each are willing to cooperate,†said Maglaya.
“We would like to emphasize that DTI remains neutral in this issue. As an agency that champions both business and the welfare of consumers, we are faced with the challenge to strike an acceptable balance.â€
The Department’s main concern is compliance to fair trade laws, healthy competition and value for money. Marketing and promo strategies are left with the companies with government not interfering with buyer-seller relationships,†further clarified the Undersecretary.
Century Pacific Group is the maker of Century, 555, Blue Bay and Fresca canned tuna brands, while Foodsphere, Inc. is the maker of CDO brands and now venturing into tuna with San Marino as its brand. Corned tuna is the newest variant in the canned tuna business in the Philippines today.
