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Featured Politics

AGRI LAUDS BOC FOR SEIZURE OF SMUGGLED AGARWOOD

AGRI Party-list Rep. Manoy Wilbert Lee commended the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for intercepting P750,000 worth of smuggled agarwood, as he renewed his call for the passage of a measure to develop a sustainable agarwood industry that will increase the income of farmers and provide new opportunities in the country. “We laud the BOC for […]

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Government

DA INSPECTS CARTIMAR MARKET FOR SMUGGLED GOODS

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. raised concerns over suspected agricultural smuggling and steep retail prices during his visit to the Cartimar market. Inspecting market stalls, Tiu Laurel identified vegetables like onion sticks, Chinese yam, large broccoli, and peppers—some still wrapped in packaging with Chinese characters—as potentially smuggled goods.  The agriculture chief pointed out that […]

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Politics

SMUGGLING OF CIGARETTES, VAPES ALARMS GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian sounded the alarm over the widespread smuggling and illicit trade of excisable products, including cigarettes and vapes, saying such activities erode revenue collection, pose health concerns, and create peace and order issues. “My worry is a reversal in smoking prevalence trends. We previously had a win-win situation where smoking prevalence was decreasing […]

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Government

DA SEIZES P178.5M WORTH OF FROZEN FISH FROM CHINA

With the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 588 metric tons of frozen mackerel worth P178.5 million, illegally imported from China, were intercepted at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT). DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel stated that the case constitutes attempted smuggling and can be included under the […]

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Government

TIU LAUREL WELCOMES NEW LAW VS AGRI SMUGGLING

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. welcomed the signing into law of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a measure that imposes stiffer penalties against smugglers and hoarders of agricultural food products including cartels. “This new law that penalizes violators with higher fines and long jail terms, should instill fear in the minds of smugglers and hoarders, […]

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Politics

CYNTHIA VILLAR LAUDS NEW LAW VS AGRI SMUGGLING

Senator Cynthia Villar welcomed the signing into law of a measure that imposes severe sanctions against smugglers, profiteers, hoarders and cartels of agricultural and fishery products. In a ceremony in Malacanang recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No.12022 or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.  Witnessing the event are some senators and congressmen, along […]

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Politics

NEW LAW VS SMUGGLING TO BRING DOWN FOOD PRICES

Senate President Chiz Escudero said a new law meant to combat rampant smuggling, profiteering and hoarding of agricultural products will make food more affordable and accessible to many Filipinos and provide better income for local farmers. Escudero said the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a priority measure of the administration which is scheduled to be signed […]

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Government

DA, BOC FOIL SMUGGLING OF ORANGES FROM THAILAND

The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs thwarted anew the illegal importation agricultural products, an unfair trade practice that poses a threat to public health and domestic agriculture. The BOC seized at the Manila International Container Port a shipment from Thailand of 3,200 cartons of fresh oranges worth P8.422 million that the DA’s […]

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Politics

ANTI-ILLICIT TOBACCO TRADE ACT GETS HOUSE OK

The House Committee on Ways and Means approved the substitute bill to House Bill 10329 seeking to strengthen the administration of tax on tobacco products, cigars, cigarettes, heated tobacco products, vapor products and novel tobacco products.  Albay Representative Joey Sarte Salceda, principal author of HB 10329, said the illicit tobacco trade has serious implications as smokers […]

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Politics

PROBE ONLINE SELLING OF SMUGGLED ONIONS – LEE

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has filed a measure to conduct an inquiry into the reported proliferation of smuggled onions and other possible agricultural products being sold online that are detrimental to the livelihood of local farmers and fisherfolk, and pose a threat to the health of consumers.  In his House Resolution No. 1600, […]