Press Release
July 29, 2012

PANGILINAN CONDEMNS PROLIFERATION OF "BOTCHA",
PUSHES FOR PASSAGE OF MEAT INSPECTION CODE
WITH STIFFER PENALTIES FOR VIOLATORS

Following the seizure of 600 kilos or Php90,000 worth of double-deat meat, or "botcha", in Tarlac and Pangasinan, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan reiterates his condemnation for the practice of selling botcha, and urges the government to support the passage of Senate Bill 2612, which seeks amendments to the Republic Act No. 9296, or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.

The measure was filed by Pangilinan in November 2010 and calls for stiffer penalties for those who violate the provisions of RA 9296.

Among the prescribed penalties are between Php50,000 and Php200,000, and between six to twelve years of imprisonment for individuals, associations, partnerships, or corporations; and, for corporations, firms, partnerships, or associations that violate the law, "the penalty shall be upon the President, the Manager, or any officer thereof who knows or ought to have known the commission of the offense."

Foreigners who are found guilty of the offense "shall be immediately deported after service of sentence."

The proposed amendments also prescribe penalties for public officers "tasked with the implementation of this act, who by themselves or in conspiracy with others, violate the provisions of [the law]."

Pangilinan says, "Ang pagbebenta ng botcha ay hindi lamang isang krimen, ngunit ay isang malaking panganib sa kabuhayan at buhay mismo ng ating mga kababayan. Kung pinaghirapan ng ating mga kababayan ang bawat piso at ultimo sentimo para lang magkaroon ng pambili ng pagkain, at pagkatapos ay mabibiktima lamang sila ng mga walang kaluluwang magbebenta ng botcha kung saan buhay mismo ng ating mga mamimili ang namimiligro, palagay natin na sapat lang ang nais nating maisapatupad sa bill na ito. Hindi biro ang ganitong gawain. Napapanahon na para pagbayarin ang mga ganitong klaseng salarin, at ipakita sa kanila na tapos na ang maliligayang araw ng mga mambobotcha."

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