By Junex Doronio

LOOKS LIKE PRESIDENTIAL BUDDY Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. will have rough sailing for his confirmation hearing as opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros has expressed her firm resolve to grill fishing magnate-turned-Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on the veracity of “murmurs of conflict of interest.”

Hontiveros pointed out that the government’s policies on food security under the DA “should not be compromised for corporate and oligarchic interests.”

The democratic socialist lawmaker who will be the likely opposition standard bearer in 2028 stated on Friday, November 3, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced Laurel’s appointment as the new DA chief.

On the other hand, national democrat House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Friday that the appointment of Laurel Jr. as the new DA Secretary smacks of a political payback since the fishing magnate contributed at least P30 million to the presidential bid of Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections through the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

“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 fisherfolk discussed,” Hontiveros said.

Laurel is president of Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a seafood production company that was first established in 1966.

On its website, Frabelle owns “a fleet of over 100 vessels and a growing workforce of 5,000.”

It is described as a “go-to source for fresh, frozen, and processed seafood, with a market that extends to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the United States.”

“Handa akong makinig at makatrabaho kayo,” said Laurel at a press conference on Friday.

“Higit sa lahat, ako’y handang magtrabaho para sa inyo.” Laurel promised the agricultural sector.

Despite her reservations about Laurel’s appointment, Hontiveros has expressed hope that long-standing issues in the agriculture sector will be finally addressed with the assumption of a full-time secretary at the DA’s helm. (ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

Describing the appointment of fishing magnate Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as a “breakthrough” for the country’s fisheries, former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol expressed his anticipation of a revitalized agriculture sector.

Laurel’s appointment came after more than a year during which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. served as the agriculture chief.

“Congratulations!” Piñol posted on Facebook on November 3.

On Friday, PBBM finally handed over the reins of the DA to Laurel, the owner of Frabelle Fishing Corp, who reportedly donated P30 million to Marcos Jr.’s 2022 presidential campaign.

Piñol stated, “His appointment is a significant step forward for the Fisheries Sector, which had long been neglected.”

According to a Rappler report, Laurel serves as the president of Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a seafood production company that was first established in 1966.

Frabelle boasts “a fleet of over 100 vessels and a growing workforce of 5,000” on its website. It is recognized as a go-to source for fresh, frozen, and processed seafood, with a market that extends to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the United States.

“I am ready to listen and work with all of you,” said Laurel during a press conference.

“Above all, I am committed to working for you,” Laurel pledged to the agricultural sector.

(ai/mnm)