The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill which classifies smuggling of tobacco, whether manufactured or unmanufactured, as large-scale smuggling or economic sabotage.
House Bill 3917, approved with 225 yes votes, zero no votes and no abstentions, amends the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 as well as Sections 2530 and 2531 of Republic Act No. 193 or the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
On the other hand, the measure defines unmanufactured tobacco as agricultural components derived from the tobacco plant which are processed for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes and other tobacco products. “Thus, there is an urgent need to combat large-scale tobacco smuggling by imposing more stringent penalties and deter the entry and sale of illegal tobacco in the Philippines. This bill seeks to include tobacco, both in its raw form or as finished products, as among the agricultural commodities the illegal importation of which can be classified as constituting economic sabotage,” it added.
“Aside from directing concerned agencies to strictly implement existing laws, legislators should also enact laws to plug loopholes to control illegal tobacco. If the entry and sale of smuggled cigarettes continues unrestricted, the national government stands to lose even more revenues,” the explanatory note on the measure stated.
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