Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 8265

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As stated in the Sugar Regulatory Adi istration (SRA) Charter,
the sugar industry is a major component of the socioeconomic and
political structure of the country. Sugar provides employment in the
countryside, generates revenue to municipal and_ provincial
governments, and adds to the foreign currency reserve.

All of these benefits are endangered by the entry of smuggled
sugar into the domestic market. Smuggled sugar decreases customs
tax collection, destabilizes domestic sugar prices, and endangers the
domestic sugar industry as well as the many sugar planters in the
country.

To strengthen the government's drive to put a stop to sugar
smuggling, this bill grants the Sugar Regulatory Administration the
power to make arrests and file charges against sugar smugglers. In
addition, this bill requires that all seized sugar be placed under the
custody of the Sugar Regulatory Administration. Furthermore, this bill
puts a stop to the reselling of smuggled sugar by requiring the
dumping of all seized smuggled sugar into the sea provided that the
dumping site is approved by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
to ensure that the ecosystem is not unduly disturbed.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this
measure is earnestly sought.

—

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

8265
HOUSE BILLNO,__~

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE SUGAR REGULATORY
ADMINISTRATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This shall be known as the “Anti-Sugar
Smuggling Act of 2010.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the
danger that smuggled sugar poses to the development of our sugar
industry, the welfare of our sugar planters, and the stability of our
domestic sugar markets. Towards this end, it is hereby declared as a
policy of the State to establish and maintain a more responsive system
to ensure that our markets are free from illegally imported sugar.

SEC. 3. Broadening the Scope of the Sugar Regulatory
Administration. - The Sugar Regulatory Administration is hereby
tasked to ensure that the domestic sugar market is free from illegally
imported or smuggled sugar.

SEC. 4. Strengthening the Sugar Regulatory
Administration. - The Sugar Regulatory Administration is hereby
empowered to prevent and suppress the smuggling of sugar through
the execution of searches, seizures, and arrests.

SEC. 5. Custody Over Smuggled Sugar. - All confiscated
smuggled sugar shall be placed under the custody of the Sugar
Regulatory Administration within ten (10) days of seizure.

SEC. 6. Disposition of SmugglIed Sugar. - All confiscated
smuggled sugar shall be immediately dumped into the sea within forty
(40) days of seizure; Provided, That the dumping site is cleared with
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bureau


of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ensure that the dumping does
not bring any significant imbalance to the concerned ecosystem;
Provided further, That the actual dumping is done in the presence of
representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of
Customs, sugar industry, and other concerned parties.

SEC. 7. Penal Provision. - Any person convicted of smuggling
or abetting the smuggling of sugar shall be imprisoned for a period of
not less than fifteen (15) years but not more than thirty (30) years,
and shall pay a fine of at least Php1,000,000.

SEC. 8. Without Prejudice Clause. - The power to execute
searches, seizures, and arrests granted the Sugar Regulatory
Administration by virtue of this act shall be without prejudice to
existing laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations granting the
Sugar Regulatory Administration such other necessary regulatory
power and functions.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision
of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. -A\l laws, decrees, orders, rules
and regulations or other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,