By Andreah Dianne M. Cartagena

PHOTO: Bureau of Customs / Inquirer.net

Calling the alleged act a 'heinous crime,' neophyte Senator-elect Robin Padilla said that officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) that are proven to be involved in agriculture smuggling must be held accountable as their apologies are not enough.

“Hindi pwedeng puro sorry. Kayo ay nanumpa sa harapan ng Panginoong Diyos at nanumpa sa harapan ng taumbayan na kayo ay magsisilbi at poproteksyunan ninyo ang sambayanang Pilipino tapos kayo ang mag-uumpisa ng kalokohan?” Padilla said during a press briefing on Tuesday, June 28.

He also called on the DA and BOC accused to be involved in agriculture smuggling to have the ‘delicadeza’ to resign and not cling to their positions anymore once the allegations are proven to be true.

"Sa akin pong palagay, kung sinuman ang mapapatunayan diyan, unang-una mag-resign ka. Dapat mauso na sa Pilipinas ‘yung ganun eh, ‘yung resignation. Kapag medyo na-imbestigahan ka, unahan mo na kaagad ng resignation.” Padilla urged. 

The senator-elect also aid that they should The Senate Committee of the Whole, in their 63-page report, revealed that more than P665 million worth of agriculture and fishery products were “technically smuggled” into the Philippines since 2019.

Malacañang said on the same day that the agriculture smuggling scandal is being investigated and raps are set to be filed to the 22 officials and personalities involved.


Edited by Danfe Lean Grace R. Elopre