Cynthia Villar sees no problem in selling seized smuggled sugar in Kadiwa stores

Senator Cynthia Villar sees no problem in the government's move to sell confiscated smuggled sugar in Kadiwa Stores.

“’Di ba pag may na-seize ka na smuggled sa government na ‘yun? ‘Di naman binabalik ‘yon sa nag-smuggle. Confiscated na yun, parang ari na ng gobyerno yun. Either silaban ng gobyerno yon or ipagbili sa Kadiwa store pero ‘di na babalik sa smuggler ‘yon. Bawal yon,” Villar said in a press conference.

(Seized smuggled goods belong to the government. Either they are burned or sold in Kadiwa stores, but they should not be returned to smugglers which is not allowed.)

The chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture, food and agrarian reform made the remark when asked about criticisms arguing that selling illegally imported goods in Kadiwa stores is like rewarding smugglers for the act.

On the selling price of sugar in Kadiwa Stores, Villar said it depends on the policy of the administration.

Recently, the Sugar Regulatory Administration amended its rules to authorize the donation of seized smuggled sugar to Kadiwa stores and allow its sale to the general public.

The move was criticized by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, saying the government should turn over the confiscated smuggled sugar to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and distribute it to the less fortunate for free. —VAL, GMA Integrated News