PH should aim for rice self-sufficiency, says Norberto Gonzales as other bets continue campaigning

Former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said the Philippines should work to attain rice self-sufficiency to meet the needs of its population instead of relying on imports.

"Food security is important.  Every time we need rice, we import it.  We import garlic, tomatoes, onions.  What's bad is the prices of these commodities are being controlled," the senatorial candidate said.

"We are the biggest rice importer in the world today. How did this happen when we have the technology, the land, we can produce our own," added Gonzales in an interview over Radyo Pilipino, which was aired on its social media page.

In a separate statement, former Marine officer Ariel Querubin called on Filipinos to rekindle the "bayanihan spirit" amid the recent fire incidents.

Querubin visited displaced residents staying at a shelter in Barangay Krus na Ligas, Quezon City after a fire that affected at least 181 families.

“181 families daw ang naapektuhan. Mabilis naman yung pagtugon sa pangangailangan nila si Mayor Joy Belmonte,” he said.

“Nananawagan ako sa mga kababayan natin na tulungan itong mga naging biktima [ng sakuna o sunog], hindi lamang dito sa Quezon City—magtulung-tulungan tayo,” he added.

Data from the Bureau of Fire Protection showed that there had been 3,114 fire incidents recorded from January 1 to March 14, 2025.

For his senatorial campaign, television host Willie Revillame held a motorcade with Galing sa Puso (GP) party-list in Manila.

In a Facebook post, people were seen shouting Revillame’s name to get his attention as he distributed shirts and jackets in Divisoria Market. The motorcade began at Paco Market and ended along España Boulevard.

Meanwhile, broadcaster Ben Tulfo said he plans to build regional help desks for overseas Filipino workers across the country.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Tulfo bared his plans as he met with OFWs and their families in Tarlac City for his senatorial campaign.

Former senator Bam Aquino said on Tuesday that his proposed employment program for fresh graduates, “Siguradong Trabaho,” would also include senior high school graduates.

“Pati Grade 11 at Grade 12, nais din naming makita na pag-graduate mo ng Grade 12, hindi ka nag-college, may trabaho ka na,” said Aquino during his visit to residents in Quezon City. 

(We want Grade 12 students, even though they don’t go into college, they will still be able to land jobs.) 

The reelectionist senator said that the program would be possible if there would be coordination between the schools and the business sector at the local level. 

Aquino earlier said that his proposal would be part of the expansion of the free higher education program.—Mariel Celine Serquina/Jiselle Anne Casucian/Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.