Latest news with #RepublicActNo.10863
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
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.
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.
