Malacañang on Saturday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to shorten to seven days the allowance given to importers to prove the legality of their shipments, particularly rice.

In his speech during the government's recent rice distribution in General Trias, Cavite, Marcos said his administration is now studying legal remedies that could resolve the woes of the importation industry.

Marcos seeking a possible amendment to Section 114 under Right of Appeal, Forms, and Ground of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, which stated that "any party adversely affected by a decision or omission of the Bureau [of Customs, or BOC] pertaining to an importation, exportation, or any other legal claim shall have the right to appeal within 15 days from receipt of the questioned decision or order."

Wait 15 days

"We just wait before arresting them because, under the law, the importers need to prove within 15 days that their goods are legally imported. That's why we wait until 15 days," Marcos explained.

Marcos said the 15-day grace period granted to importers may be too long and might allow them to smuggle rice again.

"We are trying to reduce the 15 days into seven days because if you are a legal importer, you should have all the documents so that if it is asked to be presented, you can give it right away. So why there's a need for 15 days?" he added.