‘Discayas,’ ‘Co,’ ‘Imee’ join list of banned’ firecrackers

THE BANNED LIST Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Manuel Lukban Jr. is shown here in December 2024 with the list of banned fireworks, many of which were named after strong typhoons that year. This year, the list of illegal firecrackers included some of 2025’s newsmakers and strong typhoons. —CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE

BOCAUE, BULACAN—Are they so destructive that they can blow up corruption by year-end?

After the “super lolo” and “triangulo” of past Christmas and New Year’s Eve revelries, now come “Curlee and Sarah Discaya,” “Zaldy Co,” “Senator Imee,” “Tino” and “Uwan”—the latest set of firecrackers that factories here are reportedly churning out for the holiday season.

But police in Bulacan province aren’t taking any chances. They have intensified crackdown on illegal firecracker manufacturers, particularly those producing dangerously potent explosives with catchy names.

“Whatever they call these firecrackers, they remain illegal. Manufacturers will be arrested, charged, and their products confiscated and destroyed,” Bulacan police director Col. Angel Garcillano told the Inquirer.

Garcillano has ordered all police chiefs in the province to seize illegal firecrackers ahead of the holiday season.

Key figures in flood mess

Citing reports that reached his office, he said factories were concocting firecrackers after central figures in the flood control mess, such as the Discaya couple and Co, and controversial presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos, as well powerful storms “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi) and “Uwan” (Fung-wong) that devastated parts of the country and killed more than 200 people. And then of course, there’s “Lolong,” after the world’s largest crocodile in captivity.

The Discayas and Co have been identified as among the top 15 contractors who bagged P30 billion in flood control projects in the past three years. Co, who resigned as Ako Bicol party list representative, is facing an arrest warrant from the Sandiganbayan, along with 17 others for their alleged involvement in an anomalous flood control project in Mindoro.

Imee Marcos was recently in the spotlight after she claimed in a Nov. 17 rally of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Manila that her brother, President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and their son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, were using drugs. Malacañang denied her allegations.

Republic Act No. 7183 bans fireworks containing more than 0.2 grams, or roughly one-third teaspoon, of explosive chemicals. Most illegally manufactured products in Bulacan far exceed this limit.

In Norzagaray, police chief Col. Ismael Gauna recently filed charges against Dale Mark Valenzuela and Rickmar Aguinaldo of Tondo, Manila, after their unlicensed firecracker factory exploded last month, killing a worker and a child.

Last year, police turned over to Gov. Daniel Fernando and the Philippine National Police illegal firecrackers named after Typhoon “Cristine” (2024), Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (2013), Typhoon “Ulysses” (2020), along with long-banned items such as “Bin Laden” and “Kabasi.”

Warning

“We do not let illegal manufacturers slip through. We strictly implement the law. I urge our manufacturers not to engage in illegal production, because they will be apprehended,” Fernando said.

For decades, makers have branded illicit products after popular personalities—politicians, athletes, actors, and controversial figures—to boost sales as New Year’s Eve approaches. Among those frequently seized are “Goodbye Chismosa,” “Tuna,” “Piccolo,” and others.