Other bills signed, others vetoed
(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the rice tariffication bill into law, Senate President Tito Sotto said.
The signing came after the President met with various rice traders who had been opposed to the measure that essentially allows the market to be flooded with cheaper rice imports for as long as they are imposed a tax.
Under the measure, rice traders can import an unlimited quantity of rice for as long as they pay the 35-percent tariff on imports from other Southeast Asian countries.
The President had said there was an urgent need to ensure the availability of rice in the country, amid reports of rice shortage in some parts last year.
Other bills
According to Sotto, the President also signed the following:
1. An Act Providing for Reasonable Rates for Political Advertisements
2. New Central Bank Act
3. SSS Rationalization Act
He said Duterte vetoed the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund and partially vetoed the Tax Amnesty Act.
