Boost for PH agriculture

the police went to Reno’s house at San Angel, San Jose, Antique, it was for the purpose of arresting the accused-appellant and not because he was surrendering to them voluntarily” (People v. Manzano, et al., G.R. 217974, March 5, 2018).

“[M]erely reporting the incident cannot be considered voluntary surrender within contemplation of the law. By [the] accusedappellant’s own admission, he only went to the authorities to inform them that Adrian was injured… [he] claims he had nothing to do with the murder of Oliver…this negates any acknowledgement of guilt” (People v. Badriago, G.R. 183566, May 8, 2009).

However, in the case of People v. Placer, “[h]e (Ramon) had voluntarily yielded himself and the balisong used in the stabbing to Barangay Chairman Rey Loilo of Beguin, Bulan, Sorsogon, who then brought him and the weapon to the police station for proper disposal… the day following the fatal stabbing of Rosalino (victim)…” (G.R. 181753, October 9, 2013).

“That the surrender preceded the filing of the criminal complaint with the Municipal Trial Court of Bulan on June 27, 2001 is notable. There is every indication the surrender was spontaneous on Ramon’s part, indicating his intent to unconditionally submit himself to the authorities, either because he acknowledged his guilt or he wished to save them the trouble and expenses necessary for his search and capture” (G.R. 181753, October 9, 2013).

The Supreme Court, in appreciating voluntary surrender in favor of the accused, said “on seeing Patrolman Cadaoas who had not even drawn his gun the defendant (accused) threw away his bolo, raised his two hands, offered no resistance and said to the patrolman ‘here is my bolo, I stabbed Atty. Bello,’ is indicative of his intent or desire to surrender voluntarily to the authorities”

(People v. Tenorio, G.R. L-15478, March 30, 1962).

In the case of People v. Lozano et al., the mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender was appreciated because “[i] mmediately upon learning its issuance (warrant of arrest), and without [it] having been served on him, the appellant contacted his co-accused PO2 Lozano [and]… communicated his desire to surrender (the latter in turn called the Police Superintendent)” (G.R. 137370-71. September 29, 2003).

Although “the surrender was induced by his (accused) fear of retaliation by the victim’s relatives does not gainsay the spontaneity of the surrender, nor alter the fact that giving himself up… saved the State the time and trouble of searching for him until arrested”

(People v. Clemente, et al., G.R. L-23463, September 28, 1967).

There can be no voluntary surrender if there is a condition imposed such as the need to confer with a councilor (People v. Mutya, G.R. L-11255-11256, Sep 30, 1959).

Neither can there be voluntary surrender if the stimulus to surrender is the impossibility of living in hostility and resistance with authorities without rest or peace for a moment (People v. Sakam, G.R. 41566. December 7, 1934).

While voluntary surrender may appear to be inconsistent with the intent and impunity to commit a crime, the law recognizes that the offender may show some remorse and in effect desire to be subject to judicial corrective measures and rehabilitation; thus, eliminating the need for law enforcement authorities to forcibly arrest the offender.

THE recent official visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the United States has yielded tangible benefits for the country not only in terms of enhanced defense cooperation, but also in promoting over-all economic development.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the visit to Washington DC may well be our agricultural sector. A significant outcome of the talks between the leaders of the two countries was an agreement to set up a minister-level mechanism on agricultural cooperation.

The partnership was sealed during a meeting between President Marcos and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials led by Secretary Thomas Vilsack. The meeting with the USDA, the President said, was important as the country wanted to address food supply shortages in the country particularly during the lockdowns at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was crucial for him, therefore, to

These support services will go a long way in improving the quality of life of our farmers, reducing rural poverty and achieving the goal of food security for the long term assume the post of Agriculture Secretary “because agriculture is a very complicated issue especially in the Philippines.”

During the meeting, the Philippine side expressed keen interest in forging mutually beneficial agreements to strengthen agriculture research and capacity-building initiatives for the further development of biotechnology in the country. We also argued for expanding market access of Philippine agricultural products to the US. USDA officials, on the other hand, said they looked forward to strengthening knowledge transfer between the US and the Philippines and continued cooperation on agriculture innovation systems. The Food Security Dialogue between the