President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, during a ceremony on Thursday, September 26, at Malacanang.
The President said that new law targets not only the masterminds behind the smuggling of agricultural products but also their accomplices, including their financiers, brokers, employees, and transporters
"It is a proactive measure to prevent the entry of smuggled agricultural products, ensuring that the correct duties and taxes are paid while imposing higher penalties on violators," the President said in his speech
"Under this law, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations involving agricultural and fishery products will now be classified as economic sabotage, a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved," he added.
President Marcos assures that consumers will also benefit from RA 120222, and not just local farmers.
He explained that the RA 12022 safeguards public health by preventing the consumption or industrial processing of agricultural products that lack the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary permits.
"It ensures that what ends up on the tables of every Filipino family are safe and of the highest quality," President Marcos stressed.
"By eliminating smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and other cartel activities, we are not only shielding our local producers but also providing consumers with affordable agricultural and fishery products," he added.
President Marcos mentioned that the Philippines lost Php 23 billion in 2023 due to agricultural smuggling, and authorities have seized more than Php 223 million of agricultural good in the first nine months of 2024.
"Every sack of smuggled rice, every under-the-table onion deal, every substandard meat sneaking past our quarantine checks. These are not just numbers; they represent lives, families, and futures that are being compromised," The President said.
He also said that RA 120222 allows the creation of an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group, which will focus on dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders.
"This law provides for the development of a special team of prosecutors nationwide to expedite cases related to agricultural sabotage," the President said.
"No longer will these cases gather dust; they will be prioritized and they will be resolved urgently," the Chief Executive vowed.
The President will also chair the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council composed of several key government officials including the Agriculture and Justice secretaries.
"We will enforce the law and ensure that swift and decisive action is taken against anyone who dares to sabotage our agricultural sector," the Chief Executive promised.
"We will confront and dismantle the powerful forces that have long exploited our system for their own gain, ensuring that justice prevails, and the dignity of our agricultural sector is upheld," he added.
