Imee wants agri smugglers probed, prosecuted within first 100 days of new admin

Senator Imee Marcos on Friday called for an in-depth probe into agricultural smuggling, and prosecute those found involved within the first 100 days of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos'  administration. 

Imee, who chairs the Senate economic affairs committee, underscored that the actual filing of cases against agricultural smugglers will prove the new administration’s “seriousness” in curbing misdeclaration and undervaluation of agricultural imports.

“Illegal imports have pulled down local farmgate prices and discouraged farmers from pursuing their livelihood,” Imee, the new President’s sister, said in a statement.

She noted, however, that smuggling cases cannot be filed in the court until the controversy of the list of suspected agricultural smugglers is settled.

“Some people should be on the list, while the inclusion of others is now being argued,” the senator said.

According to a report of the Senate Committee of the Whole, at least 22 people were being linked to the alleged smuggling based on an intelligence report received by ex-Senate President Vicente Sotto III on May 17, 2022 containing a "validated list" of persons purportedly involved in the illegal importation of agricultural products in the country.

“Among all local officials, Navotas mayor Toby Tiangco has taken the toughest stand against smuggling by immediately filing grave charges against notorious syndicates. On the other hand, why have the highest officials in the DA (Department of Agriculture) been let off the hook?” Imee Marcos said.

“The economic sabotage of our farmers’ livelihood and the country’s recovery itself won’t stop if the guilty are exempted and the innocent indicted,” she added.

Likewise, she said that incoming National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) chief Ricardo De Leon must “reconcile” the intelligence agency’s actual list of suspected smugglers with what it had submitted to the Senate.

GMA’s “24 Oras” earlier reported that the new President also warned the government will go after individuals involved in agricultural smuggling.

"Hahabulin natin lahat 'yan," President Marcos, who will temporarily sit as Agriculture Secretary, said. 

Several personalities on the supposed list have denied involvement in the allegations. —LBG, GMA News