Senators sharply raised concerns over the persistent issue of technical smuggling, as discussions on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed budget continued during the resumption of the Senate plenary session today, November 17, 2025. 

Sen. Risa Hontiveros opened the debate by stressing how technical smuggling, particularly through misdeclaration of imported rice, continues to drain government revenues and harm Filipino farmers.

‍“Malaking halaga ang nawawalang revenues, negatively affected ang ating mga magsasaka dahil sa pag-misdeclare ng mas mababang kalidad at halaga para sa ating mga ini-import na bigas,” Hontiveros said.

She pressed Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on how the agency plans to finally address what she described as the “walang kamatayang ‘age-old’ problem” of smuggling.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian echoed her concerns, warning that nobody wins when smuggling persists.

“Wala hong panalo sa smuggling. Talo na po ang farmers natin, tapos wala pa tayong revenues na nakukuha. Wala pong nagbe-benefisyo diyan,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Gatchalian commended the BOC’s ongoing operations against illegal imports.

“In fairness to them, talagang tuloy-tuloy po ang kanilang pagsugpo dito sa smuggling sa ating bansa. To date, ang value po ng goods na na-seize nila ay ₱4.7 billion,” he noted.

When asked whether cracking down on technical smuggling remains among the agency’s top concerns, Gatchalian affirmed that it is:

“nasa top priority … nasa top 1,”

adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given explicit instructions to pursue smugglers relentlessly.

“Hindi lang po ma-seize yung goods, kundi makasuhan at manalo tayo sa kaso,” he emphasized.

The senator also pointed out the need to revisit existing laws, citing past cases where drivers or laborers were used as consignees instead of the real masterminds behind smuggling operations.

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