Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said imposing stiffer penalties against individuals engaged in economic sabotage will serve as a "proactive and prompt response" to the alarming cases of smuggling in the country.

Dela Rosa backed Senator Cynthia Villar's introduction of Senate Bill 2432 or the "Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act," at the recent Senate plenary session earlier this week.

"I must say that this is truly a proactive and prompt response to the alarming number of cases of smuggling in the country," Dela Rosa said.

"At the same time, and more importantly, this is a decisive action towards the protection of our Filipino farmers," he added.

The proposed bill seeks to repeal Republic Act 10845 or the "Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016" which the lady senator deemed as a "failure" after the Bureau of Customs, its lead implementing agency, recorded zero number of convictions seven years after its enactment.

Dela Rosa stressed the need to create an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, "in order to more fully and effectively implement" the proposed law should it would be enacted.

"To assist the Council in the prosecution of crimes, a Special Team of Prosecutors shall be created. At the same time, the bill also proposes to create an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group to assist the Council in matters relating to enforcement," Dela Rosa added.

Dela Rosa then urged Congress and the public to support the measure to ensure justice, bring renewed hope, and build a better life for our local farmers.

"If we take care of our farmers, of their dreams and hopes for the future, then we are also taking care of the dreams and hopes of the rest of the nation. Let us cultivate, rather than destroy, their optimism," he said.