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Advocates Philippines
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Urges Swift Action On Bill Targeting Agricultural Economic Sabotage
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has certified Senate Bill No. 2432, or The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, as an urgent measure.
The bill aims to define and combat the crime of agricultural economic sabotage, establish strict penalties, and create an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council.
The President's certification, conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, underscores the critical importance of Senate Bill No. 2432 in enhancing agricultural productivity and protecting the interests of farmers and fisherfolk.
The bill also intends to ensure reasonable and affordable prices for agricultural and fishery products, curbing unscrupulous trading practices and importation.
One of the provisions of the bill is the repeal of Republic Act No. 10845, commonly known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. This is to create an updated and more comprehensive approach to combat economic sabotage in the agricultural sector.
Under the proposed legislation, severe sanctions are to be imposed on individuals or entities engaged in illegal activities such as smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel formation related to agricultural and fishery products.
These penalties include life imprisonment and fines equal to three times the value of the sabotaged agricultural and fishery products.
Government officials found complicit in these crimes will face severe consequences such as perpetual disqualification from holding public office, the right to vote, and participation in any public election. Additionally, they will forfeit any monetary and financial benefits derived from their employment.
In cases involving juridical persons, all officers who contributed to decisions leading to the commission of the crime will be held criminally liable. Their punishment will include perpetual absolute disqualification from engaging in any business associated with the importation, transportation, storage, warehousing, and domestic trade of agricultural and fishery products.
To deter and penalize offenders effectively, government authorities will have the power to confiscate agricultural and fishery products that are part of prohibited acts. This includes any properties used in the commission of agricultural economic sabotage, such as vehicles, vessels, aircraft, storage facilities, and various containers.
The proposed measure, which forms part of the expanded Common Legislative Agenda discussed during the 3rd Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Meeting, is currently in the period of interpellations in the Senate.
Simultaneously, a Technical Working Group is diligently finalizing the House of Representatives' version of the bill.
The bill aims to define and combat the crime of agricultural economic sabotage, establish strict penalties, and create an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council.
The President's certification, conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, underscores the critical importance of Senate Bill No. 2432 in enhancing agricultural productivity and protecting the interests of farmers and fisherfolk.
The bill also intends to ensure reasonable and affordable prices for agricultural and fishery products, curbing unscrupulous trading practices and importation.
One of the provisions of the bill is the repeal of Republic Act No. 10845, commonly known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. This is to create an updated and more comprehensive approach to combat economic sabotage in the agricultural sector.
Under the proposed legislation, severe sanctions are to be imposed on individuals or entities engaged in illegal activities such as smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel formation related to agricultural and fishery products.
These penalties include life imprisonment and fines equal to three times the value of the sabotaged agricultural and fishery products.
Government officials found complicit in these crimes will face severe consequences such as perpetual disqualification from holding public office, the right to vote, and participation in any public election. Additionally, they will forfeit any monetary and financial benefits derived from their employment.
In cases involving juridical persons, all officers who contributed to decisions leading to the commission of the crime will be held criminally liable. Their punishment will include perpetual absolute disqualification from engaging in any business associated with the importation, transportation, storage, warehousing, and domestic trade of agricultural and fishery products.
To deter and penalize offenders effectively, government authorities will have the power to confiscate agricultural and fishery products that are part of prohibited acts. This includes any properties used in the commission of agricultural economic sabotage, such as vehicles, vessels, aircraft, storage facilities, and various containers.
The proposed measure, which forms part of the expanded Common Legislative Agenda discussed during the 3rd Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Meeting, is currently in the period of interpellations in the Senate.
Simultaneously, a Technical Working Group is diligently finalizing the House of Representatives' version of the bill.
Sep 21, 2023
