FARMERS SUMMIT. Senator Cynthia Villar (seated, center) graces the 1st Regional Farmers Summit held at a private school in Cagayan de Oro on Thursday (Jan. 19, 2023). Villar said there is a move in the Senate to amend the anti-smuggling law to protect farmers from unfair trade practices in light of the escalating prices of onion. (PNA photo by Jigger Jerusalem) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - A move in the Senate seeks to amend the existing anti-smuggling law for harsher penalties on those involved in taking advantage of farmers and consumers, Senator Cynthia Villar said here Thursday. As prices of some basic agricultural commodities, particularly onions, continue to skyrocket, Villar said a group of senators is keen to repeal Republic Act (RA) 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 and put in place a measure that would protect the farmers against unfair trade practices. RA 10845 declares large-scale agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage. "We will repeal it (anti-smuggli
MANILA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) A Philippine lawmaker filed on Wednesday a resolution seeking a congressional investigation into reports that the Southeast Asian co
MANILA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) A Philippine lawmaker filed on Wednesday a resolution seeking a congressional investigation into reports that the Southeast Asian co
MANILA - The 36-year-old Spanish national charged with sexually abusing a minor in his house in Taguig City has pleaded not guilty. Department of Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar told reporters via text message that Franco Sanchez (Francisco Manuel Sanchez de Oria) has been arraigned and the pre-trial has been concluded. The next hearing is set Dec. 7, 2021 for the presentation of the first witness for the prosecution, Villar said, adding that Sanchez's motion to dismiss was denied by the Taguig Regional Trial Court. Sanchez was charged with 10 counts of violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act) and one count of violation of RA 9775, or the Anti-Child Pornography Act. Sanchez' arraignment was supposed to be held October 15 but connectivity problems reset the online hearing. The accused is under detention at the Bureau of Immigration Detention Center in Taguig