JV hits execs involved in agri smuggling ‘palusot’
“HEAD will roll and those who will be found guilty will be held liable.”
Thus Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said on Monday as he expressed the belief that those behind the so-called “palusot” should face the law.
Ejercito criticized both the Department of Agriculture (DA) Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the controversial Bureau of Customs (BOC) for deliberately ignoring the worsening smuggling of agricultural products in various parts of the country.
During a press conference, Monday, Sept 5, 2022, Ejercito lambasted SRA officials and those from the BOC for allegedly failing to do what is required of them under the law which is to stop agricultural smuggling. Ejercito is the author of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.
Ejercito said the possibility of filing charges against those who will be found liable specifically agriculture officials will be held answerable.
“May pananagutan sila dito. We are already studying that possibility of filing charges against them who disregarded their duties in the past six years,” Ejercito said.
The problem of smuggling specifically in the agriculture sector, according to Ejercito, is really upsetting as he cited the sugar and onion smuggling that has been reported recently.
He also expressed dismay at the reported hoarding of some businessmen who are taking advantage of the country’s current woes with the reported shortage of sugar supply.
“Yung iba talaga pinagsasamantalahan ang sitwasyon at siguro kailangan ng tamang pamamaraan para mahinto ang ganitong hoarding na magpapataas lalo ng presyo ng bilihin sa merkado.”
Ejercito said as he insisted the need to strengthen the Senate’s oversight on the implementation of the agricultural laws.
