President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday certified as urgent the proposed bill that aims to impose severe penalties on offenders engaged in agriculture economic sabotage.&nbsp;
In a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri, Marcos said the immediate enactment of S<a href="https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/4262838769!.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">enate Bill No. (SBN) 2432 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act </a>is "imperative", especially in these times of rising prices and shortages of agricultural products.
He attributed the hefty prices and shortage of agri-products to "smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel."&nbsp;
"It will also promote the productivity of the agriculture sector, protect farmers and fisherfolk from unscrupulous traders and importers, and ensure reasonable and affordable prices of agricultural and fishery products for consumers," the President added.
Under SBN 2432, economic sabotage in agriculture is defined as activities that "disrupts the economy by creating artificial shortage, promoting excessive importation, manipulating prices and supply, evading payment or underpayment of tariffs and customs duties" among others.
Any individual who is found guilty of committing any of the aforementioned actions shall face life imprisonment and must pay the fine thrice the value of the agricultural and fishery products.&nbsp;
If the offender is a government officer or employee, he or she shall face additional penalties such as "perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits."
The bill also aims to establish an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council that shall be in charge of "filing criminal and administrative cases before the prosecutor and appropriate agencies."
The council shall be composed of representatives from the various agriculture sectors and concerned government offices.

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PBBM certifies bill imposing severe sanctions for agriculture economic sabotage