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PASAY CITY—The Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform delivered a stark warning on Thursday, December 4, 2025, declaring that rampant agricultural smuggling has escalated beyond an economic crime to become a full-blown national security crisis.
As the Senate resumed its inquiry into the country’s deepening food and agricultural problems, legislators underscored that the illicit trade constitutes a coordinated assault on the nation's food security and sovereignty.
Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan emphasized, “Food security is a national security concern; therefore, agri-smuggling is a threat to our national security.”
Senators voiced profound dismay over what they perceive as a systemic failure by government agencies to curb the activity, which they say involves sophisticated foreign syndicates—notably Chinese exporters—working hand-in-hand with local collaborators and exploiting corruption within state ranks.
The inquiry revealed the syndicates' brazen methods: utilizing dummy firms and deliberately misdeclared shipments to flood ports across the nation with contraband goods. This illicit activity is not just undermining the livelihood of local farmers; legislators warned it is destabilizing food prices and directly threatening the country’s overall economic and political stability.
The committee emphasized that the scale and coordinated nature of the smuggling operation highlight a dangerous vulnerability in national borders and regulatory systems, painting a grim picture of sophisticated criminal organizations exploiting weaknesses in governance for immense profit.
The senators are now pressing for immediate and decisive action, demanding a higher level of interagency cooperation and accountability to dismantle the syndicates.
Commissioner of the Independent Commissioner for Infrastructure (ICI) Rogelio “Babes” Singson has formally submitted his resignation, ICI Chairperson Retired Justice Andres Reyes confirmed today, December 3, 2025.
According to Reyes, Singson tendered his resignation effective December 15, 2025, with the option to extend until December 21, 2025.
Reyes shared that Singson stepped down due to health concerns, noting that “the very intense and stressful ICI work is taking a toll on his aging body.”
Singson, a former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has been serving as ICI Commissioner, overseeing critical infrastructure oversight and coordination.
Further updates on the appointment of his replacement or interim arrangements have yet to be announced.
Commissioner of the Independent Commissioner for Infrastructure (ICI) Rogelio “Babes” Singson has formally submitted his resignation, ICI Chairperson Retired Justice Andres Reyes confirmed today, December 3, 2025.
According to Reyes, Singson tendered his resignation effective December 15, 2025, with the option to extend until December 21, 2025.
Reyes shared that Singson stepped down due to health concerns, noting that “the very intense and stressful ICI work is taking a toll on his aging body.”
Singson, a former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has been serving as ICI Commissioner, overseeing critical infrastructure oversight and coordination.
Further updates on the appointment of his replacement or interim arrangements have yet to be announced.
The Senate will resume its 30th plenary session on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, after a brief suspension caused by a fire in a third-floor office of the Senate building on November 30.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III ordered the reopening of the session at 1 p.m., where senators will continue deliberations on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill.
The temporary halt was needed to allow the cleanup and restoration of the Session Hall, which was affected by water leakage from firefighting efforts. The incident was declared under control by the Bureau of Fire Protection at 7:43 a.m. on Sunday.
Sotto assured that the Senate is fully prepared to proceed with its legislative work as scheduled.
Vice President Sara Duterte personally attended the Senate deliberation on the proposed 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian sponsored the OVP’s proposed allocation amounting to ₱889 million. During the session, Senator Robin Padilla expressed his full support, noting his appreciation that the chamber opted not only to retain but also to increase the OVP’s budget.
“Ako po ay natutuwa sapagkat dito po sa ating bulwagan ay atin pong hindi binawasan ang budget ng ating Pangalawang Pangulo, bagkus ay dinagdagan,”
Padilla said, highlighting that the OVP has consistently extended assistance to communities affected by typhoons and other calamities.
In a rare smooth deliberation, no senator interpellated or questioned the proposed budget. With no objections raised, the OVP’s 2026 budget was swiftly approved.
