Recto Vows To End Rampant Smuggling, Profiteering

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto emphasized that the Department of Finance (DOF), along with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), is prepared to fully implement the newly enacted law aimed at curbing rampant smuggling, cartels, profiteering, and hoarding of agricultural products to ensure food security for Filipinos.

From January 2023 to August 2024, the BOC conducted 1,803 successful agricultural smuggling operations, seizing goods valued at PHP 3.70 billion. I Photo: Philippine Information Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, into law on September 26, 2024.

This expands the coverage of economic sabotage involving agricultural products, including livestock, aquatic products, and tobacco, beyond those covered by the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

“The new law gives the government more teeth to relentlessly pursue smugglers, whose activities undermine our farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers,” Secretary Recto said.

“Through a stronger crackdown, we can protect access to affordable goods and boost government revenues for public services.”

Perpetrators of economic sabotage now face life imprisonment and a fine equivalent to five times the value of the agricultural and fishery products involved.

RA 12022 empowers the BOC to take decisive action against entities involved in economic sabotage.

BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Act to stabilize agricultural prices and protect local industries.

From January 2023 to August 2024, the BOC conducted 1,803 successful agricultural smuggling operations, seizing goods valued at PHP 3.70 billion.