Opposition senators wary of ‘corporate, oligarch interests’ with new DA chief

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday warned against “corporate and oligarch interests” after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. as the new Agriculture secretary.

While she welcomed Marcos’ decision to appoint a full-time DA chief, Hontiveros mentioned some “murmurs of conflict of interest.”

Laurel sits as the president of the Frabelle Fishing Corporation. According to its website, Frabelle was established in 1966 as a small trawl fishing company before eventually shifting to purse seining small pelagic fish and then to tuna.

“Our commercial fishing fleets have recently resisted efforts of the DA to monitor and regulate their operations. I firmly believe that the government's commitment to food security and environmental protection should not be compromised for corporate and oligarchic interests,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“We will await Secretary Tiu-Laurel when he goes before the Commission on Appointments,  so these issues affecting his capacity to lead the DA can be scrutinized and the concerns of our peasant farmers and fisher-folk discussed,” she added.

GMA News Online sought the reaction of Malacanang on the senator's remarks.

Hontiveros also hoped that Laurel’s appointment would address the long-standing issues affecting Filipino farmers, fisherfolk and the rest of agricultural sectors.

These issues include stabilizing the prices of agricultural commodities, improving the productivity and incomes of our farmers and fisherfolk, and confronting the cartels that have become deeply entrenched in the sector, the senator said.

“These problems are complex and compounding and need immediate action,” she added.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also reminded Laurel of the constitutional requirement for divestment from business interests of cabinet members.

In a message to reporters, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy said, “As per Sec. Laurel, he already divested his interests from his companies.”

Pimentel tagged Marcos’ move to appoint a full-time DA chief as a “good decision,” reiterating that food production must be the government’s  top priority.

Pimentel along with Senator Francis Tolentino said Laurel should be given time to prove himself as DA secretary.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe hoped that Laurel will address the problem of smuggling in the agricultural sector.

“As the first order of the day, we hope the new DA chief would take to heart the President's warning in his SONA against smugglers, hoarders and price fixers,” she said.

Senator JV Ejercito also aired his concern on DA’s issue regarding importation.

“Since he is already an established and a very successful businessman a billionaire, and trusted by PBBM, that he might just be the right person to fix the problems of the Department of Importation este Agriculture!” Ejercito said.

Apart from them, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Cynthia Villar, Sherwin Gatchalian, Ramon Revilla Jr. Francis Escudero, Sonny Angara, and Senator Bong Go welcomed Laurel’s appointment.—LDF, GMA Integrated News