Filipino farmers protected as Senate ratifies Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Bill – JV Ejercito
May 23, 2024
Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito
praised the Senate's ratification of the bicameral conference committee report
on the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Bill on Wednesday, May 22.
As the principal author of the bill, Ejercito
said that the measure will safeguard the state from economic saboteurs and
protect the livelihood of Filipino farmers.
“Ang panukalang ito ay binhi ng pag-asa para
sa ating mga magsasaka. Ito ay itinanim ng Senado para sa kanilang
kinabukasan,” Ejercito said.
The bill aims to repeal Republic Act No.
10845, or the "Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act," and introduce severe
penalties for smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and forming cartels of
agricultural and fishery products.
Ejercito pointed out that the measure will
level the playing field for local farmers as it “will purge our land of
profiteers, hoarders, and cartels.”
“They are the pests who are choking our
agricultural sector. This bill will uproot them and put them in jail, where
they belong,” he emphasized.
The lawmaker from San Juan commended Senator
Cynthia Villar for her efforts in shepherding the bill through Congress.
He also expressed gratitude to former Senate
President Migz Zubiri and former Majority Leader Joel Villanueva for their
leadership.
"Nawa'y magbunga ang panukala na ito ng
masaganang ani para sa ating bayan."