By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Militant groups calling for the repeal of the controversial Rice Liberalization Law and removal from office of two key members of President Marcos’ economic team, got a surprise visit from an unlikely guest on the picket line in the person of Senator Imee Marcos.
And their special guest was generous too.
Sen. Imee, elder sister of President Bongbong Marcos, distributed food packs to the protesting farmers from various organizations who braved the scorching sun Tuesday in front of the Finance Department building to press for the repeal of the RLL.
They also called on the Marcos admin to terminate Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the two officials are being accused of favoring importation by advocating for reduced tariffs on rice and other imported agricultural products.
SINAG Chair Rosendo So expressed concerns that while President Bongbong Marcos continuously emphasized the need to strengthen local palay production, his top economic team continued to promote importation.
So pointed out that the real beneficiaries of tariff cuts were individuals involved in smuggling and hoarding of rice, not the farmers, who would suffer, especially during harvest time. (ai/mnm)
