Pangilinan, Secretary Go explore more severe measures vs hoarders

SENATOR Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan and Secretary Frederick D. Go, the special assistant to the President for investment and economic affairs met on Tuesday to discuss how to strengthen measures against agricultural smuggling, the Senator’s office said in a statement.

Mr. Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, and Mr. Go, in his capacity as the President’s permanent representative to the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, discussed how to “make accountable the organizations and individuals behind the hoarding of agricultural products, such as rice, vegetables, and others.”

Mr. Pangilinan said efforts against economic sabotage have thus far focused on low-level personnel, and pushed for the apprehension of key business figures involved in smuggling.

The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act in 2024 (Republic Act 12022) sets monetary thresholds for classifying food smuggling, hoarding, profiteering or cartel behavior under the separate crime of “economic sabotage.”

An economic sabotage prosecution is triggered when the value of the goods involved tops P10 million. Violators charged with the offense are not eligible for bail.

The law also created the Anti-Agricultural Economic Council, which is chaired by the President.

Mr. Pangilinan said only a few cases have been filed since the law came into force and no major violators have been jailed.

The Senate committee recently investigated cases of alleged smuggling involving companies and customs brokers and goods such as frozen mackerel, red and white onions. These shipments crossed the P10 million threshold.

Mr. Pangilinan’s committee is due to conduct another hearing focused on rice imports and possible smuggling of the staple grain on Sept. 11. — Andre Christopher H. Alampay