Senator Cynthia Villar says a bill passed recently by the Senate will strengthen government measures to curb agricultural smuggling.
Villar said the measure will create an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force directly under the control and supervision of the Office of the President to give more teeth to the law against smuggling of rice and other agricultural products.
The bill, called Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, will also establish an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Court under the jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals, and a special team of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the disposition of agri-economic sabotage cases.
“The measure intends to repeal Republic Act No. 10845, or the ‘Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act’ and introduce several nefarious acts other than smuggling, such as, hoarding, profiteering, cartel of agricultural and fisheries products,” said Villar, principal author and sponsor of the bill.
Despite the existing law being in place for seven years, Villar pointed out that no one has been jailed for smuggling rice and other agricultural goods. She expressed optimism that the new legislation will address the suffering of Filipino farmers and consumers caused by corruption.
The Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2432, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, last December. President Marcos has certified the bill as urgent, underscoring its importance. On March 20, 2024, both Houses of Congress held a bicameral conference to finalize the bill.
Last Wednesday, May 22, the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act before adjourning the 2nd Regular Session of the 19th Congress.
Villar stressed that this piece of legislation is an act of self-preservation against the “manipulative scheme of economic saboteurs.” It is also intended to protect the farmers’ livelihood, she added.
The proposed law also safeguards the State from tax evaders, ensuring the well-being of the agricultural producers, consumers, and the entire economy.
Villar is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform.