President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday signed into law Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which defines crimes related to agricultural economic sabotage, including smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartel, among others, and imposes stiffer penalties.

The President, at the signing ceremony for the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, said the Philippines prides itself for the rich bounty from its lands and seas but for too long, it has been exploited not just by “foreign foes, but by shadowy figures operating in the very markets that we trust.”

“Well, enough is enough… To those who seek to sow chaos in the fertile fields and waters that sustain us: The hand of justice will swiftly and decisively find you,” he added.

Marcos said the new law is a proactive measure not just to prevent the entry of smuggled agricultural products in the country but also to ensure correct duties and taxes are paid, while imposing higher penalties on violators. 

It also classifies smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartel operations involving agricultural and fishery products as economic sabotage, which is a non-bailable offense that is punishable by life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved.

Smuggling and hoarding of agricultural food products with a value of goods exceeding P10 million are classified as economic sabotage.

“This law shapes a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector that defends both our farmers and our consumers. It also safeguards public health by preventing the consumption or industrial processing of agricultural products that lack the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary permits,” Marcos said.

He noted one key feature of the law — the establishment of an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council which he chairs. This aims to ensure the proper implementation of the law, coordinate investigations, and conduct visits and inspections to enforce compliance with the law.

The law also creates an Enforcement Group dedicated to dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders and a special team of prosecutors to expedite cases related to agricultural sabotage.

“This law does not just target the masterminds; it holds all accomplices accountable—financiers, brokers, employees, even transporters…,” Marcos said, noting that the cases will be prioritized and resolved urgently.

“No more backdoors, no more shortcuts, and certainly no more turning a blind eye,” he added. 

Apart from the creation of the council and the enforcement group, the new law also provides for the establishment of a Daily Price Index which will be handled by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Research and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, and a registration requirement for businesses dealing with agricultural products.

It also imposes stiffer penalties, such as imprisonment, imposition of fines and forfeitures of assets involved in economic sabotage.

The law covers specific agricultural and fishery products, such as rice, corn, beef and other ruminants, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, other vegetables, fruits, fish, salt and other aquatic products in their raw state or which have undergone the simple process of preparation or preservation for the market within the primary and post-harvest stages of the food supply chain, palm oil, palm olein, raw and refined sugar, and tobacco.

It also grants rewards of up to P20 million and other incentives to those who will provide information that would lead to the investigation, arrest, prosecution and conviction of smugglers and hoarders.

The new law takes effect 15 days after publication without the need for additional implementing rules.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, in an interview, welcomed the enactment of the law which he hopes would instill fear in the minds of smugglers and hoarders, and force them to mend their ways.

“This would also benefit our farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihood are imperiled by unscrupulous hoarders and smugglers,” he added