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Advocates Philippines
Senate Passes Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act
Photo credit: Senate PH
In a unanimous 18-0-0 vote, the Senate approved the third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 2432, officially known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, aims to impose severe sanctions against smugglers, profiteers, hoarders, and cartels involved in agricultural and fishery products.
The bill, which repeals the 2016 Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, defines agricultural economic sabotage as actions disrupting the economy by creating artificial shortages, manipulating prices, and engaging in illicit activities. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified the measure as urgent, citing the pressing need to address rising agricultural prices due to hoarding and smuggling.
Under the newly approved Act, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, headed by the President, will be established, along with the creation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group. Violations will fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals.
The legislation covers a range of agricultural and fishery products, including rice, corn, beef, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, vegetables, fruits, fish, salt, palm oil, sugar, and tobacco. Severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines three times the value of the products, are outlined for offenses such as agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and engaging in cartels.
Villar emphasized the necessity of stringent penalties to deter illegal practices that threaten the well-being of agricultural producers and consumers. The Act also prohibits the financing of agricultural economic sabotage crimes, with corresponding life imprisonment.
The Enforcement Group is tasked with preventing and addressing prohibited acts, and any member found guilty will face imprisonment and fines. A special team of prosecutors will expedite the prosecution of criminal cases, and properties used in economic sabotage will be confiscated.
The Act mandates the Bureau of Customs and Trade Regulatory Agencies to implement the National Single Window Program within 90 days. It also allows citizen suits, empowering individuals to file complaints directly with the Department of Justice or relevant government agencies.
Villar stated, "It is high time that we have an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group, as well as a special team of prosecutors. With these in place, we will have a watchdog in the agricultural sector to ensure that whoever manipulates the price of agricultural commodities to the detriment of small farmers and consumers will be brought to justice accordingly."
The bill, which repeals the 2016 Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, defines agricultural economic sabotage as actions disrupting the economy by creating artificial shortages, manipulating prices, and engaging in illicit activities. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified the measure as urgent, citing the pressing need to address rising agricultural prices due to hoarding and smuggling.
Under the newly approved Act, the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, headed by the President, will be established, along with the creation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group. Violations will fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Tax Appeals.
The legislation covers a range of agricultural and fishery products, including rice, corn, beef, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, vegetables, fruits, fish, salt, palm oil, sugar, and tobacco. Severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines three times the value of the products, are outlined for offenses such as agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and engaging in cartels.
Villar emphasized the necessity of stringent penalties to deter illegal practices that threaten the well-being of agricultural producers and consumers. The Act also prohibits the financing of agricultural economic sabotage crimes, with corresponding life imprisonment.
The Enforcement Group is tasked with preventing and addressing prohibited acts, and any member found guilty will face imprisonment and fines. A special team of prosecutors will expedite the prosecution of criminal cases, and properties used in economic sabotage will be confiscated.
The Act mandates the Bureau of Customs and Trade Regulatory Agencies to implement the National Single Window Program within 90 days. It also allows citizen suits, empowering individuals to file complaints directly with the Department of Justice or relevant government agencies.
Villar stated, "It is high time that we have an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group, as well as a special team of prosecutors. With these in place, we will have a watchdog in the agricultural sector to ensure that whoever manipulates the price of agricultural commodities to the detriment of small farmers and consumers will be brought to justice accordingly."
Dec 13, 2023
