Finance Secretary Ralph Recto (left) engages with senior officials of the Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines in a meeting on Sept. 11, 2024 to discuss ways to combat illicit tobacco trade and improve regulation on the said product in the country. JTI Philippines general manager John Freda expressed his eagerness to collaborate with the Department of Finance (DOF) in formulating policies and regulations to curtail the illicit tobacco trade.