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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Lacson, Sotto vow to unmask personalities behind agricultural smuggling

Lacson, Sotto vow to unmask personalities behind agricultural smuggling

Published Dec 12, 2021 03:31 pm

Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III have vowed to unmask the personalities behind the multibillion-peso smuggling of agricultural products into the country even in their remaining five months as senators ahead of the May 2022 national elections.

Lacson and Sotto said they want to alleviate the suffering of local farmers due to smuggling which has deflated the price of agriculture goods and slashed their incomes.

Earlier, Lacson exposed the rampant smuggling of pork products that has undermined the local pork industry which is already reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lacson had said the government was being scalped face-to-face since instead of collecting proper tariffs on these products, some personalities were blatantly slipping by regulators with their illegal activities.

Sotto said they have received complaints from local vegetable growers especially in Benguet and Mountain Province who complained about the smuggling of agricultural products in their regions and markets.

“So, I delivered a privilege speech on the matter, so that we can have a full-blown investigation on what is wrong,” Sotto said.

“Because apparently, the Bureau of Customs has tried to file cases against some of these complaints or the persons being complained by the vegetable dealers,” the Senate leader added.

Sotto will preside over the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 14, on the issue of agricultural smuggling.

The Senate leader lamented that despite the billions involved in smuggling, authorities were only filing cases for violation of the Food Security Act, which carries paltry fines of P50,000 up to P100,000 against those caught.

“The charges should be economic sabotage and economic sabotage entails a maximum (punishment of) life imprisonment,” Sotto stressed.

Related Tags

Senate probe Tito Sotto agricultural smuggling Senate Committee of the Whole ping lacson
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