By Armando Fenequito Jr. DAVAO CITY – First District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte has filed a bill that would penalize bulk-cash smuggling in the country amid the raging controversy over the allegedly anomalous influx of hundreds of millions of dollars being brought into the Philippines by Chinese nationals. Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte (KEITH BACONGCO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) In a statement released to Davao media on Monday afternoon, the presidential son filed House Bill 6421, or the "Anti-Bulk Cash Smuggling Act of 2020, which would require any person to declare through proper reporting the amount of cash or monetary instruments worth P500,000 or more that will be transported within the Philippines and outside of the Philippines. Duterte said that, under the bill, those planning to transport huge amounts of money will also have to secure from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas a clearance prior to travel. He said the bill states that a person who intently evades proper reporting requirement and knowingly conceals cash amounting to 500,000 or more shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than one year, but not exceeding five years. "He or she will also have to pay a fine not less than P100,000 but not exceeding P500,000," Duterte said. The congressman said that smuggled bulk cash shall be forfeited immediately by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) upon inspection. He said government officials or employees who conspire with others to violate provisions of the proposed measure shall be punished with a fine not less than P50,000 but not more than P200,000, and will suffer imprisonment of six months to not more than one year. Duterte said the bill also provides that the individuals who will be found instrumental in the discovery and seizure of smuggled cash shall receive a cash reward equivalent to one percent of the total amount of the cash smuggled or P200,000, whichever is lower. He said House Committee on Appropriations chairman and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap is also a co-author of HB 6412. The presidential son and House Deputy Speaker lamented how travelers to other countries are being required to undergo security questioning when they bring more than $10,0000 cash, while travelers entering the Philippines only have to declare it through the Declaration Form upon arrival and nothing else. “Since it would be difficult to trace and document cash transactions, the money brought in into the country may be used for illegal activities. Thus, there is a significant need to increase our vigilance over money laundering,” the young Duterte said Authorities say that Chinese nationals brought in a total of $368 million to the country since mid-2019.