Senator Urges Stronger Action Against Smugglers Amid Low Conviction Rates

In a recent Senate hearing, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed frustration over the low rate of convictions for smuggling and illicit trade, urging the Department of Finance (DOF) and its agencies to enhance their efforts. Gatchalian emphasized the need for the DOF, along with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), to refine their strategies to ensure more successful prosecutions. He highlighted that without effective convictions, the efforts to curb smuggling would remain ineffective, as apprehended individuals would not fear legal repercussions. From 2017 to 2024, the BIR filed 29 cases with a tax liability of PHP9.9 billion, yet none resulted in a final conviction. Similarly, the BOC filed 62 cases related to cigarette smuggling worth PHP2.255 billion, but only one case led to a conviction. Gatchalian stressed that the current low conviction rates fail to deter smugglers, who continue their activities due to high profit margins. He called for stronger legal action to send a clear message that the government is committed to tackling this issue and that justice will be served to those engaging in these illegal activities.