Stronger penalties urged for agri smuggling

Speaker Martin Romualdez is pushing for “more severe” punishment for agricultural smugglers and price manipulators, saying these acts are considered “economic sabotage” and “stronger legislative reforms” are needed to deter such unlawful activities.

-  SHEILA CRISOSTOMO

“We will strengthen the laws, ensuring that those who sabotage our economy with price manipulation and smuggling face longer jail terms and harsher penalties. The days of leniency are over,” Romualdez said.

He made the statement yesterday in reaction to the recent identification of 12 key members of an onion cartel in the Philippines who are now facing a staggering P2.4 billion in fines as an offshoot of the House probe that the Speaker initiated.

According to the Enforcement Office of the Philippine Competition Commission, it had filed charges and recommended penalties amounting to P2.42 billion against 12 onion traders and importers for allegedly operating as a cartel since 2019.

“Economic sabotage is a crime of the highest order. The law demands life imprisonment for large-scale agricultural smuggling, and we will make sure those responsible face the full force of justice,” he added.