Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to impose life imprisonment as a penalty for government officials implicated in large-scale agricultural smuggling, which she considers as an act of economic sabotage.
During her interview on the online show “Ang Mahiwagang Mundo ng Politiko” hosted by Reymund Tinaza, Hontiveros expressed her gratitude to Senator Cynthia Villar for considering their proposed laws, including her own amendment to the anti-agricultural smuggling law.
She said government officials and employees involved in collusion with agricultural smugglers must be held accountable. At present, only private entities are pursued under the law, but Hontiveros expressed her intention to amend the committee report to include the prosecution of government employees and officials who collude with agricultural smugglers.
“Sa ngayon hahabulin ko talaga na harinawa sa aming committee report at mukhang bukas ang chair at pati ang ibang mga kasama naming senador na dapat makasuhan ang mga empleyado at opisyal ng gobyerno na nakikipagsabwatan nga sa mga agricultural smugglers. Alam itong agricultural smuggling nagko-cost po iyan sa gobyerno ng billions of pesos per year sa lost of revenues. At ibig sabihin nito kung maisasama nga ang panukalang amyenda ko ay maituturing na criminal ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno at empleyado na napag-alaman na nakikipagsabwatan sa malalaking smuggler ng agricultural products,” Hontiveros said.
Under Hontiveros’s Senate bill, those who violate the law will face lifelong imprisonment, a fine double the fair value of the smuggled agricultural product, including the taxes, duties, and other charges avoided, plus interest at the legal rate. Furthermore, if a public employee or official approves or issues any license, declaration, clearance, or permit that they know to be manifestly unlawful, inequitable, or irregular, it will also be considered economic sabotage.
Hontiveros’ proposed legislation aims to strengthen the fight against agricultural smuggling and ensure that government officials and employees are held accountable for their involvement in such illegal activities. As the bill progresses, it will undergo deliberation and scrutiny by the Senate, with the potential to enact stricter measures to combat large-scale agricultural smuggling and protect the country’s economy.
