Senate approves on second reading bill on agricultural economic sabotage

Senate of the Philippines | INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate approved on its second reading on Wednesday Senate Bill No. 2432 — or the proposed Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva moved for the approval of the bill in a plenary session. Before its approval, the bill went through individual amendments introduced by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

According to Committee Report No. 118, the bill seeks to repeal the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016. It aims to penalize smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and maintaining a cartel of agricultural and fishery products.

READ: Senate panels OK bill vs crimes of agri economic sabotage 

Penalties for these crimes include life imprisonment and a fine thrice the value of the agricultural and fishery products involved.

Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. certified the bill as urgent.