-
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on September 26 signed into law the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act
-
Republic Act No. 12022 puts in place stricter measures against agri-economic saboteurs
-
Under the law smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations involving agricultural and fishery products are considered acts of economic sabotage
-
Economic sabotage is a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved
-
RA 12022 creates an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group focused on dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders
-
It also creates a special team of prosecutors nationwide to expedite cases related to agricultural sabotage
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on September 26 signed into law the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act (Republic Act No. 12022) that puts in place stricter measures against agri-economic saboteurs.
As part of the law’s implementation, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group has been created to focus on dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders, and a special team of prosecutors nationwide developed to expedite cases related to agricultural sabotage.
“No longer will these cases gather dust. They will be prioritized and they will be resolved urgently. We will confront and dismantle the powerful forces that have long exploited our system for their own gain, ensuring that justice prevails, and the dignity of our agricultural sector is upheld,” Marcos said.
“No more backdoors, no more shortcuts, and certainly no more turning a blind eye in Bagong Pilipinas.”
The law also created the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, chaired by Marcos alongside the secretaries of agriculture, finance, transportation, trade and industry, and interior and local government, and justice, and other key officials.
Under RA 12022, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations involving agricultural and fishery products are considered acts of economic sabotage—a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved.
The law, which repeals RA 10845 (Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016), aims to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector by tackling illegal activities that disrupt food supply and inflate prices.
Marcos described the measure as proactive, preventing the entry of smuggled agricultural products and ensuring the correct duties and taxes are paid while imposing higher penalties on violators.
“By eliminating smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and other cartel activities, we are not only shielding our local producers but also providing consumers with affordable agricultural and fishery products,” Marcos said.
He noted the law “does not just target the masterminds; it holds all accomplices accountable—financiers, brokers, employees, even transporters.”
Furthermore, it seeks to make food more accessible and affordable for Filipinos while enhancing income opportunities for local farmers and fisherfolk.
“The passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act will set in motion transformative outcomes,” Marcos said. “This law shapes a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector that defends both our farmers and our consumers.”
In addition, RA 12022 safeguards public health by preventing the consumption or industrial processing of agricultural products that lack the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary permits.
“We will enforce the law and ensure that swift and decisive action is taken against anyone who dares to sabotage our agricultural sector,” Marcos said. – Roumina Pablo
