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Two new laws to arm Duterte vs. smugglers, airport extortionists and cyberthieves – Recto
By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- Two legislative measures signed into law recently by President Aquino will boost the campaign of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte against criminals engaged in smuggling, extortion at the airport, and cyber-crimes, according to Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto.

”I commend President Aquino for his parting gift to the President-elect: two significant laws that will help the incoming administration get rid of smugglers, balikbayan box extortionists and cyber-criminals," Recto said.

Recto was referring to Republic Act No. 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Republic Act No. 10844 which creates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

"The CMTA and the DICT will not only boost the country's economy, they also seek to curb criminality through the imposition of stiffer penalties on certain criminal acts," the senator pointed out.

Recto is the principal sponsor of Senate Bill 2686, or the DICT Act of 2015, which President Aquino signed into law last May 23 as Republic Act No. 10844. He is also the author of Senate Bill 2913, or the Balikbayan Box Law, which was later incorporated into the CMTA as Section 800 by Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Senate Ways and Means committee.

According to Recto, Section 1431 of the CMTA provides the penalty of six years to 12 years imprisonment and fine of Php500,000 to Php1 million to government employees found guilty of extorting money from OFWs and Balikbayans with pasalubong cargo.

Additional penalties include forfeiture of all benefits due from service in government as well as perpetual disqualification to hold public office, from exercising the right to vote and to participate in any public election.

Although the provision on the balikbayan boxes is but one of the many in the 311-page CMTA, “it is one that is most awaited by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs),” Recto said.

Under the CMTA, which was signed into law by President Aquino only last Tuesday, OFWs can send up to three Php150,000-worth of tax and duty free balikbayan boxes in a year, given that goods are not in commercial quantities nor intended for barter, sale or for hire.

On top of the tax and duty free balikbayan boxes, Filipinos, who have stayed in a foreign country for at least 10 years and are returning to the Philippines, will also be granted tax exemption for the personal and household effects, not exceeding P350,000, they will be bringing with them when they return to the country.

Filipinos who have lived overseas for at least five years will be entitled to tax and duty free personal and household effects amounting to P250,000, while those who have stayed abroad for less than five years can enjoy P150,000 tax-free ceiling.

Recto said the DICT law, on the other hand, mandates the creation of a “Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center.”

The DICT will also be tasked to formulate the “National Cybersecurity Plan” and form the “National Computer Emergency Response Team,” which, Recto said, will serve as “our IT Special Action Forces or cyber-commandos.” (PNA)
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