Case vs Red Bull importer nixed

MANILA, Philippines - A regional trial court in Benguet province has withdrawn the criminal case filed against the Philippine importer of Red Bull Energy Drink, after the Department of Justice ruled that the case was not criminal in nature. In a decision issued recently, the Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in La Trinidad, Benguet granted the motion to withdraw criminal information against the officials of Maryland Distributors Inc. (MDI), the authorized and exclusive importer of Red Bull in the Philippines since May 2009. This followed an order from the Department of Justice, asking the provincial prosecutor of Benguet province to withdraw the case against the officials of MDI. “Wherefore, finding the Prosecutor’s motion to withdraw information in order, the same is hereby granted. The criminal information in this case is hereby deemed withdrawn,” said La Trinidad regional trial court Judge Danilo Camacho in his ruling. Judge Camacho said the decision was issued in the light of the findings by the Department of Justice that there is no probable cause in the case filed by Energy Food & Drinks Inc., the terminated Philippine distributor of Red Bull against MDI. MDI was accused by Energy Food and Drinks, Inc., of allegedly tampering with the label of the product when it stated it was the authorized importer of Red Bull. MDI, in response, said the stickers on the label speak the truth. “We are the authorized Philippine importer of Red Bull Supreme Energy Drinks in the Philippines,” the company said.