Lawmakers Push to Strengthen Fight Against Agricultural Economic Sabotage
MANILA, Philippines — Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s urgent call in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, Rep. Brian Poe, PhD, MNSA of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list has introduced a powerful bill to strengthen the fight against agricultural economic sabotage. This legislation aims to protect Filipino farmers and stabilize food prices amid rising challenges.
The “Revised Anti-Agricultural Smuggling and Hoarding Act” intends to modernize and broaden the existing law (Republic Act No. 10845). It proposes classifying both hoarding and large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as heinous crimes, making them non-bailable offenses punishable by life imprisonment, asset forfeiture, and heavy fines. The bill also targets private offenders and public officials who collude in these illegal activities.
“The President spoke clearly—economic sabotage in agriculture cannot be tolerated. This bill responds by going after not just smugglers, but also hoarders and profiteers who manipulate supply and punish Filipino farmers and consumers,” said Rep. Poe.
Addressing Hoarding and Price Manipulation
The bill arrives amid increasing reports of warehouses stockpiling rice, onions, garlic, and other essential goods. These acts artificially raise prices and undermine programs like the ₱20-per-kilo rice initiative. By defining hoarding as the deliberate withholding of agricultural goods to create scarcity, the bill places it alongside smuggling as a grave offense.
Offenders face life imprisonment, fines of at least ₱5 million or twice the value of the goods involved, and forfeiture of assets linked to these crimes. For public officials involved, penalties include lifetime bans from holding office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and potential charges under anti-graft and plunder laws.
New Task Force and Enforcement Measures
To strengthen enforcement, the bill establishes a Specialized Anti-Agricultural Smuggling and Hoarding Task Force. This group will be led jointly by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC). Authorized to conduct audits, issue subpoenas, summon witnesses, freeze suspicious assets, and cooperate with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the task force aims to dismantle syndicates behind economic sabotage.
Additionally, the bill mandates that all warehouses and cold storage facilities handling agricultural products must register with the DA and BOC. They are required to submit monthly inventory reports and allow surprise inspections. Failure to comply could lead to multi-million peso fines, revocation of business permits, or criminal charges.
Encouraging Public Cooperation and Accountability
To involve citizens in the fight, the bill includes a whistleblower incentive program offering rewards up to ₱20 million for credible information leading to arrests and convictions. This measure supports transparency and strengthens community participation in safeguarding the food supply chain.
Rep. Poe emphasized, “We cannot build a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ while syndicates are allowed to exploit loopholes. This bill shuts the backdoors and puts real enforcement teeth behind the President’s food security vision.”
The legislation aligns with President Marcos’ push for accountability in agriculture by imposing perpetual disqualification from public office and loss of government benefits on officials found guilty of these crimes.
“Food inflation hurts the poorest the most. That’s why this bill prioritizes stable supply chains, strong enforcement, and serious consequences for economic saboteurs,” added Rep. Poe.
This bill complements the government’s agriculture priorities, such as expanding food production, supporting farmers, and improving market access. These goals are at risk due to unchecked criminal activities disrupting the supply chain.
For more news and updates on agricultural economic sabotage, visit Filipinokami.com.
