The Philippine Senate vows to approve the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) when it resumes sessions next year.
Senate president Franklin Drilon said the CMTA, as well as other priority bills, will be green lighted when sessions resume on January 18. The CMTA was approved on second reading by the Senate on December 14, just before Congress took a Christmas break on December 16. The measure has been approved on third and final reading at the Lower House.
“Even with the elections drawing close, we have much work to do in the Senate. We intend to make good on our promise to the Filipino people on the start of the 16th Congress that we will help the poor, widen the delivery of education and other social services and improve the economy,” Drilon said.
“The Senate will continue to be a working Senate, and we vow as one chamber that we will maximize our remaining time to continue our mandate and work on relevant, important and much-needed laws for our people,” the Senate president added.
Senate Bill No. (SB) 2968, or An Act Modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration, will increase transparency and simplify procedures, increase the de minimis value, raise the tax exemption ceiling for packages sent by balikbayans and returning residents, and provide harsher penalties for smuggling, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
DOF said the CMTA will “mandate the use of information communications technology to enhance operations, enforcement, and reduce face-to-face transactions.” The agency added the measure will “simplify procedures and help eradicate corruption.” It will also provide a de minimis value of P5,000 (in the Senate version) below which no duties and taxes will be collected.
Violations of customs laws will merit higher fines and penalties and will be considered “economic sabotage.” If the amount of the smuggled goods exceeds P200 million, the penalty will be reclusion perpetua and there will be a fine of P50 million.
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