Photo from Daily Tribune

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — New Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. denied allegations that he was appointed to the position as “payback” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the fishing tycoon’s donation during PBBM’s presidential campaign in 2022.

According to a report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Laurel was one of the top donors during the campaign.

According to reports, the fishing tycoon allegedly contributed at least P30 million during the campaign last year for PBBM.
“There is no payback. As I said, sacrifice na rin ito, it’s for the country talaga. ‘Yun lang masasabi ko,” Laurel said.

Meanwhile, the DA chief also clarified that there will be no conflict of interest since he already divested from his fishing companies.

“Basically nag-divest na ako. I have no more interests in all the companies I used to own,” he said.

“DA is a full-time job. I have no time to do anything else. Malaki itong departamento, complicated ng konti, there are 28 bureaus and GOCCs. Wala akong time to think of other things,” Laurel added.

Earlier, Marcos announced the appointment of Laurel as the new DA chief and was lauded by legislators, saying that his appointment was “timely.”

Marcos has been the DA Secretary since he assumed the presidency.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

Senators have welcomed the appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel as the new Department of Agriculture Secretary.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Laurel has the management experience and the “common touch to lead what is perhaps the most important agency in the country today.”

“I am glad that the President personally headed the Department of Agriculture for a time… but it is also right that the DA now be helmed by a new Secretary who can be devoted to the agriculture sector,” Zubiri said in a statement.

Sen. Chiz Escudero lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for choosing a full-time DA Secretary.

Escudero said he has known Laurel to be a “sincere, no-nonsense, honest and hardworking patriot.”

“I congratulate Secretary Laurel on his appointment, wish him well, and look forward to working with him.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said that the new DA chief must have the focus, fortitude to get things done, and genuine feeling for the 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,” Poe said.

“Kailangan din ng pangmatagalang programang magpapapataas sa produksyon sa agrikultura at mangangalaga sa kapakanan ng ating magsasaka,” she added.

On Friday, Marcos announced that he administered the oath of Laurel as the new DA Secretary.

(ai/mnm)