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JV Ejercito questions effectiveness of Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Law amid lack of convictions

October 02, 2023

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito questioned on Monday the lack of progress in apprehending large-scale smugglers despite the passage of Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Law, which he authored in 2016.

During a budget hearing held by the Senate Committee on Finance on Monday, Oct. 2, Ejercito expressed concern about the effectiveness of the Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Law.

“My concern is, as the principal author of the Anti-Agriculture Smuggling Law, it passed in 2016, and as we all know, it's now 2023. I would say, it was not really effective,” Ejercito said.

“Bakit wala pang nahuhuli? Seven years since its passage, we have yet to hear of a large-scale smuggler being punished. Panay dilis ang nahuhuli. So, what went wrong?,” he pointed out.

Ejercito noted that the Senate is currently in the process of passing an amendment of the law, through his proposed Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Bill, which will now include provisions on hoarding, cartel activities, and profiteering.

“The President even certified the Anti-Agri Economic Sabotage as a priority measure. It's an urgent measure ‘no, we are hoping to pass it within the year,” he said.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it is working on the issue, having recently convicted four rice smugglers. It is also considering the establishment of a special court dedicated to handling cases of large-scale agricultural smuggling, aiming to expedite prosecutions and convictions in this regard.

Ejercito also highlighted instances of alleged irregularities in the assessment of agricultural products at different ports, such as Subic, which may result in underpayment of tariffs.

“Hindi po ba dapat mayroon tayong parang blue book o parang iisa lang dapat ang assessment sa lahat, bakit iba-iba? Kasi pwedeng maging source of smuggling ‘yan,” Ejercito said.

“Kasi notorious po ang Subic, it's the preferred entry of agricultural products and it's relatively easy to enter this port than other ports, bakit ganon?”

He emphasized the need for uniformity in evaluations and raised questions about the role of the Import Assessment Service (IAS).

Ejercito urged the BOC to address these issues and mentioned the importance of computerization and automation in combating corruption within the agency.

The BOC officials acknowledged the concerns and committed to providing reports and resolutions.

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