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Senate Pushes To Penalize Government Officials Involved In Agricultural Smuggling
Photo credit: BOC
In a public hearing held on Thursday, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros emphasized the need to penalize government officials who facilitate, conspire, or act as accomplices in agricultural smuggling. Hontiveros pointed out the absence of provisions in Republic Act 10845, which address the punishment of government officials involved in this illegal activity.
During the hearing conducted by the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Hontiveros highlighted the severe consequences of agricultural smuggling. She stated that the smuggling of agricultural goods not only costs the government billions of pesos in lost revenues but also leads to high prices for consumers, violations of competition laws, and the further decline of the domestic agricultural sector.
To address this issue, Hontiveros presented Senate Bill No. 2205, seeking to amend Republic Act No. 10845. Her bill aims to hold government officials accountable by treating them as co-conspirators and accomplices of agricultural smugglers. She emphasized the urgency of penalizing these officials to curb the persistence of smuggling in the country.
In a related development, Senator Robinhood Padilla expressed support for tighter measures against agricultural smuggling and proposed the imposition of the death penalty for rogue law enforcement personnel involved in heinous crimes, including murder, illegal drug trade, and agricultural smuggling. Padilla stressed the impact of smuggling on the livelihoods of farmers and various industries such as rice, sugar, onions, and tobacco.
Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito expressed concern over the lack of convictions despite the filing of cases against agricultural smugglers, even seven years after the enactment of Republic Act 10845, which he primarily authored. Ejercito acknowledged the existence of loopholes in the law and emphasized the need to strengthen it.
During the hearing, Vincent Philip Maronilla, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), concurred with one of the suggestions to standardize the valuation of imported products. Currently, customs examiners have discretionary powers in determining the valuation, which affects whether an import qualifies as agricultural smuggling. Proposed amendments also include the inclusion of hoarding, profiteering, and cartel activities related to agricultural products in the list of crimes involving economic sabotage.
The public hearing provided a platform for senators and officials to discuss necessary amendments to Republic Act 10845 and address the loopholes that have hindered the conviction of agricultural smugglers. The proposed changes aim to strengthen the law and give it the necessary teeth to combat agricultural smuggling effectively.
During the hearing conducted by the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Hontiveros highlighted the severe consequences of agricultural smuggling. She stated that the smuggling of agricultural goods not only costs the government billions of pesos in lost revenues but also leads to high prices for consumers, violations of competition laws, and the further decline of the domestic agricultural sector.
To address this issue, Hontiveros presented Senate Bill No. 2205, seeking to amend Republic Act No. 10845. Her bill aims to hold government officials accountable by treating them as co-conspirators and accomplices of agricultural smugglers. She emphasized the urgency of penalizing these officials to curb the persistence of smuggling in the country.
In a related development, Senator Robinhood Padilla expressed support for tighter measures against agricultural smuggling and proposed the imposition of the death penalty for rogue law enforcement personnel involved in heinous crimes, including murder, illegal drug trade, and agricultural smuggling. Padilla stressed the impact of smuggling on the livelihoods of farmers and various industries such as rice, sugar, onions, and tobacco.
Meanwhile, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito expressed concern over the lack of convictions despite the filing of cases against agricultural smugglers, even seven years after the enactment of Republic Act 10845, which he primarily authored. Ejercito acknowledged the existence of loopholes in the law and emphasized the need to strengthen it.
During the hearing, Vincent Philip Maronilla, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), concurred with one of the suggestions to standardize the valuation of imported products. Currently, customs examiners have discretionary powers in determining the valuation, which affects whether an import qualifies as agricultural smuggling. Proposed amendments also include the inclusion of hoarding, profiteering, and cartel activities related to agricultural products in the list of crimes involving economic sabotage.
The public hearing provided a platform for senators and officials to discuss necessary amendments to Republic Act 10845 and address the loopholes that have hindered the conviction of agricultural smugglers. The proposed changes aim to strengthen the law and give it the necessary teeth to combat agricultural smuggling effectively.
May 18, 2023
