Senator Kiko Pangilinan expressed his dismay over the ₱130 million worth of smuggled products, stating, “Hindi ito kapabayaan, ito ay sabwatan.”
In an exclusive interview at DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, October 9, the senator revealed that during one of the Committee on Agriculture’s hearings, they found that the EPCB Consumer Goods Trading was responsible for the ₱130 million worth of smuggled products. Upon the committee’s invitation, Pangilinan said that a Panda delivery rider was the one who showed up, introducing himself as the importer.
“Paano napalusutan ito ng [Bureau of] Customs? Ganon na ba ka-walang kwenta ang proseso sa Customs na ‘yung isang Panda delivery rider ay pwede maging isang importer ng nagkakahalagang ₱130 million? Talagag hindi ito kapabayaan, ito ay sabwatan. Kaya natin nais alamin ang katotohanan, [at] kung sino ang nasa likod nitong gawaing ito,” he expressed.
“Maliwanag hanggang sa ngayon, untouchables ang mga ito. Kaya kawawa ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” he added.
Despite this, the senator said they will continue the fight as smuggling kills local production of goods.
Customs brokers cited in contempt
Meanwhile, Pangilinan said they told the Customs brokers cited in contempt to disclose the truth about who gave them the orders, adding that the committee can recommend them to be state witnesses, providing them with protection as well.
“Baka sakali sa ilang mga araw ay magbago na isip nila at magsabi na ng totoo. Any time, pwede silang pakawalan at nararapat lang pakawalan ng Senado. Pero nasa kanila ang pagsabi ng totoo, dahil maliwanag ayaw nilang sagutin ‘yung aming katanungan: sino?” he said.
Most of the resource persons who spoke up during the hearing had identical stories, scripted, as Pangilinan described.
“Sa batas ngayon broker, may-ari ng warehouse, may-ari ng truck, lahat ‘yan pwedeng sampahan ng non-bailable na kaso, ng economic sabotage ng agricultural products. May ngipin ‘yung batas eh, walang ngipin, bungi-bungi. Bungal ‘yung mga nag-eenforce ng batas. Nakakainit ng ika nga ulo,” he expressed.
Of 123 cases filed from 2021 to 2025, only four were charged, Pangilinan said, adding that none got convicted of a non-bailable case or were put behind bars.
“Sabi ko nga, kung sa DPWH may kamadang sindikato sa flood control, dito sa smuggling mayroon ding kamadang sindikato. Kung ang mga Discaya, ‘yan ang private sector na involved. Ang tanong, sino ‘yung mga importer na private sector involved? Sino ang Usec. Bernardo sa smuggling? Sino ang Brice Hernandez at Henry Alcantara ng smuggling? ‘Yan ang hinahanap natin, at [kung] sino ang Discaya ng smuggling,” he stated.
“Dahil itong maliliit na lamang ulit ang lumalabas at napapatunayan na may ebidensya habang ‘yung mga big fish wala pa. Pero hahabulin natin sila,” he added.
