THE government seized a record P26.86 billion in counterfeit goods last year, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said on Friday, surpassing the previous high of P24.9 billion in 2021 and nearly tripling last year's P9.49 billion.

'With more aggressive and strategic efforts, coupled with its swift coordination with the team and with IP rights holders, the NCIPR (National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights) members were able to ensure the success of its seizure operations,' acting committee chairman and IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba said on Friday.