Marcos signs Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act

Manila Bulletin

"This is not just another policy, it is your battle cry."  President Marcos said this as he assured local farmers and fisherfolk of the government's stronger resolve in protecting and uplifting their lives through the newly signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act which aims to dismantle illegal activities that disrupt food supply and inflate prices.  READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/26/marcos-anti-agricultural-economic-sabotage  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00The president may now proceed to sign the enrolled copy.

00:04Upon signing of the harmonized version of Senate Bill No. 2432 and House Bill No. 3917,

00:11it shall be known as Republic Act No. 12002,

00:15entitled, An Act Defining the Crimes of Agricultural Economic Sabotage,

00:20prescribing penalties, therefore, vesting jurisdiction over such offenses

00:25with the Court of Tax Appeals, providing mechanisms for its implementation and enforcement,

00:31repelling for the purpose of Republic Act No. 10845 of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

00:40This measure protects farmers, fisherfolks, and consumers

00:45from unscrupulous traders, importers, and other economic saboteurs

00:50by preventing and imposing stiff penalties against smuggling, hoarding, profiteering,

00:56and cartels that unduly restrain supply and manipulate prices.

01:01Thank you, Mr. President.

01:04But today marks a turning point.

01:07The passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act will set in motion transformative outcomes.

01:14It is a proactive measure to prevent the entry of smuggled agricultural products

01:19ensuring that the correct duties and taxes are paid while imposing higher penalties on violators.

01:27This law shapes a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector

01:31that defends both our farmers and our consumers.

01:35It also safeguards the public health by preventing the consumption or industrial processing

01:42of agricultural products that lack the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary permits.

01:48It ensures that what ends up on the tables of every Filipino family are safe and of the highest quality.

01:55Under this law, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations

02:01involving agricultural and fishery products will now be classified as economic sabotage,

02:08a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment

02:12and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved.

02:17Applause

02:25And let me be clear.

02:27This law does not just target the masterminds.

02:31It holds all accomplices accountable.

02:34Financiers, brokers, employees, even transporters.

02:38We are establishing the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, which I will chair,

02:44alongside the secretaries of agriculture, finance, transportation, trade and industry,

02:49and interior and local government, and justice, and other key officials.

02:54We will enforce the law and ensure that swift and decisive action is taken

03:00against anyone who dares to sabotage our agricultural sector.

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