Latest news with #CustomsModernizationandTariffAct
GMA Network
05-08-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Risa, Kiko seek to remove presidential power to adjust rice tariff
Two senators have filed a joint resolution seeking to terminate the delegated authority of the President to modify tariff rates on rice in a bid to bring back its tariff to 'previous levels.' In filing Joint Senate Resolution No. 2, Senators Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros asked both the House of Representatives and the Senate to strip the President of such powers, citing the negative impact of imposing lowered tariffs on imported rice. It also aims to revert the tariff rates on imported rice to the previous level of 35% from 15%, following the signing of Executive Order No. 62 in June 2024. '[T]his combination of lower tariffs and precipitous drops in global rice prices constitutes a 'perfect storm' that has severely devastated the Philippine agricultural sector,' the resolution read. While it acknowledged that Section 1608 of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) of 2016, delegates authority to the President to adjust tariffs, the joint resolution emphasized that 'this is not an absolute power' and that Congress has the authority to withdraw or terminate it. The resolution also directed the appropriate committees of both the Senate and House to hold caucuses to review the current state of the rice industry and propose specific legislation for the welfare of local farmers. Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform, urged immediate action on the matter for the sake of local farmers. 'Wag natin patayin nang paunti-unti ang ating mga magsasaka. Ipaglaban naman natin ang karapatan nila na kumita ng sapat at maayos, na mabuhay ng may dangal,' he said in a statement. (Let's not kill our farmers little by little. Let's fight for their right to earn enough and properly, and to live with dignity.) GMA News Online sought a comment from Malacañang and will update this story once it responds. In June, the Department of Agriculture (DA) recommended to the Tariff Commission that any future increase in the rice import duty—from the current 15% back to the previous 35%—be implemented gradually to minimize its effect on both local and global markets. Agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. had warned that an abrupt 20-percentage-point hike could disrupt the rice market. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
31-07-2025
- GMA Network
BOC seizes P40.5-M misdeclared vapes, other goods from China
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Thursday its operatives at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) seized misdeclared vape products and other regulated goods valued at P40.5 million. The seized shipments, which were loaded in three containers from China, were falsely declared as kitchenware, according to the BOC. The BOC said a 100% physical examination of the shipments, conducted on July 14, 2025, led to the discovery of 81,000 pieces of assorted vape products, along with sacks of fully refined paraffin wax and other misdeclared items. The shipments were held and subjected to inspection following derogatory information received by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-MICP. According to the Customs Bureau, its Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and other key officials also inspected the contraband. Following the discovery of the misdeclared items, the BOC said Warrants of Seizure and Detention were issued on July 23, 2025. The shipments are now under forfeiture proceedings for violations of Sections 117, 1400, 1401, and 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), Republic Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, and relevant Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regulations, according to the Customs. The BOC said it is also undertaking a case build-up to identify and prosecute those responsible, ensuring full accountability under the law. "Our operations are anchored on a whole-of-agency approach that prioritizes intelligence, swift execution, and legal action against those who attempt to evade customs laws," said Nepomuceno. For his part, MICP District Collector Rizalino Jose Torralba said his port district is committed to enforce anti-smuggling efforts. "Smuggling operations involving vape products pose significant health and economic risks. The MICP fully supports Commissioner Ariel in safeguarding our borders and ensuring that only lawful and properly declared goods enter the country," said Torralba. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- GMA Network
P16M alleged smuggled cigarettes seized in Sultan Kudarat
Authorities seized alleged smuggled cigarettes worth around P16 million in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. Personnel of the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC) intercepted a motorized fishing vessel carrying undocumented tobacco products during a maritime law enforcement operation approximately 40.23 nautical miles northwest of Nara Point, Kalamansig. The boat has five crew members on board. Seized during the operation were up to 280 master cases of tobacco products. 'A joint inspection yielded 280 master cases of tobacco products onboard, suspected of violating Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), relevant Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regulations, and provisions under Executive Order No. 245 issued by the National Tobacco Administration,' WMNC said. The crew members arrested were released later while the confiscated items were turned over to the Bureau of Customs. 'This successful interdiction underscores the Western Mindanao Naval Command's steadfast commitment to upholding maritime law, protecting national economic interests, and supporting government initiatives against smuggling within the country's maritime domain,' WMNC added.
GMA Network
03-07-2025
- GMA Network
P8.3M worth of smuggled cigarettes seized in Bacolod City; 3 arrested
Authorities seized P8.3 million worth of smuggled cigarettes and arrested three suspects in Bacolod City, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Maritime Group. In a statement on Thursday, the PNP Maritime Group said the smuggled cigarettes were confiscated during an anti-smuggling operation at the Old Airport in Barangay Tangub. The suspects, who were caught carrying boxes containing the smuggled cigarettes, failed to show any documents proving that they paid the corresponding taxes to the Bureau of Customs. They will be facing charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Graphic Health Warning Law. The seized contraband and the suspects were brought to the 4th Special Operations Unit in Enrique B. Magalona, Negros Occidental for proper documentation and filing of charges. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
27-06-2025
- Filipino Times
Customs intercepts smuggled onions worth P2M hidden in noodle boxes
The Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Cagayan de Oro, intercepted an estimated 25,500 kilograms of red onions concealed in boxes of egg noodles from China, worth around P2 million. The shipment arrived on May 26 at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. It was declared to contain egg noodles, frozen croissant dough, frozen dough buns, pizza dough, and spring rolls. On June 11, the BOC conducted a spot-check inspection following a tip from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry regarding suspected misdeclared agricultural products. A Warrant of Seizure and Detention was issued against the smuggled products, per Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and other applicable regulations, according to BOC. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who led the inspection of the seized shipment, confirmed that similar containers from the same company were intercepted earlier in Manila. 'There were similar containers from the same company that were intercepted in Manila, so we traced them and alerted all ports to monitor any containers from this company coming from China. Thanks to the BOC, we were able to intercept this shipment. This is a warning to agricultural smugglers, we will not stop going after you. We will file the appropriate cases,' he said. The Department of Agriculture said the seized onions will undergo laboratory testing to determine whether they are safe for donation or require disposal. Legal proceedings will follow as part of the enforcement process. 'We owe it to our farmers, consumers, and the nation to ensure that no smuggled agricultural product makes it to our markets. Our continued partnership with the DA is key to fulfilling this duty,' said BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
