Senator Francis Pangilinan revealed the names of companies and customs brokers allegedly behind the smuggling and hoarding of frozen mackerel and onions worth over P10 million, enough to be considered non-bailable economic sabotage.
The list was presented during the Senate agriculture committee’s first hearing on August 20.
Pangilinan said he will press the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the next hearing to explain why cases have not been filed against those involved.
Among those identified were 1024 Consumer Goods Trading (broker: Loujin Arm Ramos Tenero); Berches Consumer Goods Trading (brokers: Berly Bitoy Ramos, Efren Yu Abello Jr., Gretchen Francisco Gimeno, Jason Alolor Ejes, John Cyril Mapa Imperial, Kimmuel Gler Lopez, Lyn Dinglasan Estrella, Muscholary Rose Sinuto Gonzales, Myr Dela Torre Ramos, Richelle Bautista Ramirez, Rodalyn Goc Ong); EPCB Consumer Goods Trading (broker: Ellaine Joy Gedaria); Queenstar Industry Consumer Trading (broker: Judy Ann Gumban Jungco); and Vox Enterprises OPC (broker: Abegail Gruta Yumang).
Pangilinan warned that the P15–P20 million worth of seized goods may be undervalued in records to fall below the P10 million threshold. He urged the government to file charges, issue arrest warrants, and blacklist the firms.
Since the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act was signed in 2024, he noted that only three cases have been filed, all still under probe, with arrests limited to warehouse staff instead of major smugglers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. also sought stronger enforcement powers for the DA. The Senate will resume its inquiry on September 1.IMT
