REPUBLIC ACT NO. 2207 - AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORTATION OF RICE AND CORN AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. —It is the expressed policy of Congress to protect and promote the interests of local producers and planters of rice and corn in a manner consistent with the general welfare of consumers and to foster and accelerate self-sufficiency of the country in so far as those staple commodities are concerned.

SEC. 2. Prohibition. —It shall be unlawful for any person, association, corporation or government agency to import rice and corn into any point in the Philippines: Provided, however, That should there be an existing or imminent shortage in the local supply of the above-mentioned commodities of such gravity as to constitute a national emergency, upon certification to this effect by the National Economic Council, based on the studies of the Office of Statistical Coordination of said body, the President of the Philippines may authorize the importation of these commodities, through any government agency that he may designate, in such quantities as the National Economic Council may determine necessary to cover the shortage, subject to the taxes, duties and/or special charges as now provided by law: Provided, further, That contracts for such importation shall be only on straight-sales basis, and awarded only after a public bidding, with sealed bids.

SEC. 3. Penalties. —Any person who violates any provision of this Act or who, being an officer or employee of the Government, violates, abets or tolerates the violation of any provision of this Act, shall be punished by a fine of five thousand pesos and imprisonment of five years.

In case the offender is an officer or employee of the government, he shall, in addition, suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office and to participate in any public election.

If the violation is committed by a corporation or association, the penalty shall be imposed individually upon the president, director, manager or managing partner, and other officials thereof responsible for the violation.

If the violation is committed by or in the interest of a foreign juridical person duly licensed to engage in business in the Philippines, the immediate revocation of such license to engage in business shall form part of the penalty to be imposed.

If the offender is an alien, he shall, in addition to the penalty imposed by the Court, be deported within ten days after service of the sentence.

Rice and corn imported in violation of this Act shall be confiscated by the Government and distributed to welfare and charitable institutions.

SEC. 4. Repeal. —All Acts, Executive Orders, Proclamations and Regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, May 15, 1959.