13 March 2026
Manila, Philippines – Public health advocates are calling for stronger transparency measures in legislative hearings on tobacco and vape taxes after a recent news report revealed that an “independent expert” who testified in the Philippine Senate in 2025 has ties to the tobacco and nicotine industry, raising questions about whether his testimony was truly independent.
According to the news published in The Guardian Australia, former Australian Border Force officer Rohan Pike, who appeared before the Philippine Senate Committee on Ways and Means in May 2025, was seated alongside an executive of Philip Morris Philippines and Jericho Nograles, president of the Philippine Tobacco Institute, an industry group whose members include major tobacco companies. At the time, Pike was described as an “Australian security expert” and consultant on illicit trade.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) emphasized that testimonies from individuals with industry links can influence policy debates on excise taxes and regulatory measures. The House of Representatives is currently holding hearings on proposals to amend excise taxes on cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and e-cigarettes. a process that has significant implications on product affordability.
“When individuals testify before Congress as so-called “independent experts”, their affiliations must be clearly disclosed. Policymakers and the Filipino people deserve to know that the testimony is not influenced by commercial interests,” stated Atty. Faith Laperal, Executive Director of HealthJustice Philippines.
Advocates also said that the recent public discussions around banning vapes underscore the need for unbiased policymaking. Recently, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa called for a total ban on e-cigarettes and vape products, citing their toxic and addictive contents and their health risks such as cardiovascular disease and EVALI or E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury.
“Short of banning these products, sin taxes must be progressively increased to reduce affordability and discourage use. Eight ASEAN countries have already banned these products; only the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia haven’t. As ASEAN Chair this year, the Philippines has an opportunity to demonstrate regional leadership by prioritizing strong public health protections,” said Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA).
“Full disclosure should be a basic requirement for anyone presenting themselves as an expert before Congress. Under WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3, governments must protect health policies from tobacco industry interference including ensuring transparency about affiliations and funding,” added Atty. Laperal.
CSOs argue that Pike’s case illustrates how industry‑linked voices can enter policy debates under the guise of independence, potentially skewing outcomes on public health policies that should be shaped by independent science and experience.
Contact Information:
Ms. Cyresse Ann Achilleos
Media and Communications Officer, SEATCA
+63 975 701 7130
cyresse@seatca.org
Mariz Amante Wee
Communications Officer, HealthJustice
+63998-885-1080 / +974-669-86655
mariz@healthjustice.ph
Anelle Cortez
Project Coordinator, HealthJustice
+639178139696
anelle@healthjustice.ph