Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 21) — Senator Risa Hontiveros is alleging that the government may have participated in what she called “government-sponsored smuggling,” saying a shipment of sugar arrived in the country ahead of the effectivity of Sugar Order (SO) Number 6.
In a speech Tuesday, Hontiveros said Sugar Order No. 6, which allowed the importation of 440,000 metric tons of the commodity, became effective on Feb. 18, three days after the SO was received by the UP Law Center.
She explained applications could then be received between Feb. 19 to 23, and awards released five days after the last day of submission.
“What is the earliest date to enter imported sugar in the Philippines? It is March 1, 2023,” Hontiveros said.
The senator, however, said there seemed to be people who “jumped the gun.”
“My information, coming from producer organizations and corroborated by independent sources, is that on February 9, a shipment of sugar in 260 20-foot containers arrived in the port of Batangas. Ang (the ) importer na ito diumano ay(is reportedly) All Asian Countertrade, Inc.,” she said.
Hontiveros added that the arrival of the shipment was confirmed by the Department of Agriculture’s letter to the Bureau of Customs dated Feb. 14.
Hontiveros also said the shipments could not have been from earlier SOs.
“At dahil hindi din sila sakop ng SO 6, na simula February 24th pa ang awarding ng allocation, there is no other conclusion but to say that these sugar shipments are smuggled,” she said.
[Translation: And since it isn’t covered by SO 6, where the awarding of the allocation won’t be until February 24th, there is no other conclusion but to say that these sugar shipments are smuggled.]
Hontiveros also referred to a supposed letter dated Jan. 13 where All Asian Countertrade, Inc. was told by Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban they were authorized to import 240,000 Mt of sugar as instructed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
CNN Philippines is trying to get a comment from Malacañang or Panganiban.
“Sinasabi dito [It says here] that the Executive Secretary, more than a month ago, provided some sort of authority to import, that the SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) had not,” said Hontiveros who then asked what legal basis Bersamin had for such authority.
“What other conclusion can be drawn other than that this is government-sponsored smuggling? Who is responsible for this?” she said.
Hontiveros also pointed out the 260 containers of sugar passed though the Super Green Lane system of the Bureau of Customs, meaning it got VIP treatment. However, she said agricultural products were not allowed in the Super Green Lane.
“So malinaw na contraband at hindi dapat nalito ang BoC na smuggled nga itong asukal,” she said.
[Translation: It’s clear that this is contraband and the BoC should have been confused that the sugar was smuggled.]
Hontiveros also questioned how there seemed to be no criteria on how much allocation can be given to importers.
“The DA can approve seemingly any amount allocation without any restriction. There appears to be no criteria, no ceiling, no formula with which to determine how allocation is given to each importer. It is then technically possible to just give allocations to three favored importers. Mukhang ganito na nga ang nangyari ngayon,” she said.
