By Danilo P. Padua, PhD
I was glued to the TV set during the live 2nd State of the Nation Address of President
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last July 24, 2024. There were so many things that he covered, some of which I have dealt with in this space earlier such as tourism and NGCP.
At this time though, we will focus at an issue in which he made a very strong statement. It’s about the anti-agricultural smuggling situation. “Bilang na ang araw ng mga hoarders and smugglers na yan!”, he boomed. He made specific reference about vegetables, sugar, rice and pork.
R.A. 10875 – “An act declaring large-scale agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage, prescribing penalties therefor and for other purposes”, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, is the law that was supposed to lessen agri-product smuggling. It was passed during the term of Pres. Noynoy Aquino
That law became effective more than 7 years ago. It provided for penalties such as life imprisonment and fine of twice the fair value of the smuggled agric product. In that 7-year span, was there any one who was charged in court? Nada! None. But senators and congressmen claimed that they have the list of those involved but did not lift any finger to file charges. It’s a case of “why, me? I am not authorized”
Am just wondering why the so-called “progressive” lawmakers are not even also doing anything about it. They are so boisterous in criticising the government at every turn, but their tails become limp when important and relevant actions are needed to be done. If they are really progressive, they should have themselves be counted where it matters.
The law specifically mentioned rice, sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish, and cruciferous vegetables. After the law became effective, there was proliferation of smuggling of such commodities until this year, 2023. It’s mind-boggling. Pass a law to prevent smuggling from happening? Hogwash. It’s a law that actually precipitated agri-product smuggling. Obviously, that kind of law is not what is needed.
If you ask me, that law is sufficient to prosecute offenders and given the penalties as prescribed. Only thing is, it does not specify who can file the charges. That means that our legislators are passing laws that are well written but are toothless, and therefore useless. But they beat their breasts in ecstasy when such laws are passed. They proudly include them in the list of accomplishments. Talk of grandstanding. Listen to empty boasting.
There are so many such useless laws! And they are spending so much people’s money to craft such laws, not to mention the lengthy studying kuno.
Now, the president is saying the days of the hoarders and smugglers are numbered. Brave words indeed. To realize this, the president is saying that they need to pass another law to supplant R.A. 10875, making it more effective. Whoa, the law was not even implemented, and it is due already for revision. It may result to bigger smuggling headaches, instead of providing relief for concerned farmers.
In fairness, the president was also talking of digitalization of the agri sector, including data of local production, storage and distribution of products, importation, exportation, etc. If this could be done with the correct intention, and implemented by proper personnel, the words of the president could ring a loud bell. Then farmers like vegetable farmers of the Cordillera could wear a smile from ear to ear.
o – o – o – o – o
A day after the second SONA of PBBM, I had the great pleasure of watching live the FIFA World Cup (Women) match between the Filipinas and New Zealand. It’s the first time that any Philippine team reached the World Cup of the world’s number one sport – football.
The Filipinas lost their first match, 2-0 against Switzerland earlier. Nobody thought that the Filipinas (that’s the monicker given to our women’s football team; they were formerly called Malditas) will win or even score a goal against New Zealand, as they won earlier 1-0 against Norway- a former world cup champion.
The game started quietly but it was clear that New Zealand was a better team overall. At the 24th minute, the peaceful night erupted into a frenzied jubilation in the field. A Filipina booter, Sara Bolden, with all her 5’8″ frame, majestically soared high over three defenders near their goal to smash a powerful header that swished into the net. It was a feed from her teammate, Sara Eggesvik. The New Zealand goalie was so bewildered, she could not do anything. I jumped with joy, shouting as the Filipina booters celebrated in the field. It was the first ever goal made by any Southeast Asian team to any football world cup. It was a real history.
From there, the New Zealand team made it a habit to hold on to the ball much more than the Filipinas. In fact, they had at least 3 or 4 attempts to equalize and nearly did so, especially in the 68th minute when an opposing player netted the ball into the Filipinas’ goal. It was declared an offside though after a video review, meaning that goal was nullified.
I was a bit worried as I watched because the opponents were having the ball most of the time. The defense of the Filipinas’ though held until the final whistle, signalling that the battle was won by the Filipinas’. It was sweet, sweet, sweet. Congratulations to a well-deserved place in history for the Filipinas team. It brought a lot of pride to the sporting population of the Philippines.
As this is being written, the team is preparing to match wits with the Norwegians, the former champion, for a place in the next round. By the time this paper hits the newsstands, that match would have been finished. I wish the team well.
At almost the same day of the RP-New Zealand match, another Phil women’s team barged into the next round of the Softball World Cup in Italy. Yes, another world cup participated in by another Filipino women’s team. Unfortunately, they failed to reach the round of eight. But kudos too to the women’s softball team. It was a good run.
Note that the two Fiipino teams are women’s teams and they belong to NSAs whose leaders are not squabbling but are doing their best to prepare their teams for competitions.
