Imee wants Marcos to name those involved in agri smuggling during SONA

Senator Imee Marcos on Monday said she wants President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to name individuals involved in agricultural smuggling during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Bilang super ate, gusto ko magalit na si Bongbong. Gusto ko magwala na siya, pangalanan na lahat ng agricultural smuggler na nakakasira ng ating pagsasakang lokal,” the senator said in an ambush interview.

(As the super-ate, I want Bongbong to be angry. I want him to go wild and name all the agricultural smugglers that are destroying our local agriculture.)

The President, sitting as the Agriculture secretary, previously warned that the government will go after those involved in smuggling.

Marcos also expressed hope her brother would warn and file charges against corrupt officials in the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and other agencies.

“Sana takutin na niya at kasuhan lahat nung mga nasa gobyerno na kilalang-kilalang corrupt sa BOC, BIR, at sa iba’t iba pang ahensya,” she said.

(I want him to scare and file charges against officials known to be corrupt at the BOC, BIR, and other agencies.)

“Sana magalit na siya at tunay na sabihin na dadamputin na ‘yung mga kriminal at mga nangangalakal pa rin ng droga,” she added.

(I want him to be mad and truly say that criminals and those who trade in illegal drugs will be arrested.)

The senator said it is “time” to get angry at what is happening.

“Palagay ko panahon na magalit kasi hindi na tama at masyado nang mabigat ang dinaranas ng ating mamamayan. Ang taas-taas ng presyo ng pagkain. May kasalanan diyan ang mga importer, cartel, lahat ng sindikato sa DA pwede ba tapusin na natin ‘yan,” she said.

(I think it is time to get angry because it is no longer suitable and our countrymen are experiencing too much. Food prices have increased, and the fault lies in importers, cartels, and syndicates. Can we address this already?)

She added that corporations that do not pay their excise taxes should also be apprehended.

Asked about possible counter-SONAs, the senator said Bongbong Marcos is already experienced in dealing with criticism.

“Ang sabi nga namin sa pamilya, to patol is human, to dedma is divine (as we say in the family, to retaliate is human, to ignore is divine),” she said.

“Hindi naman sa pangde-dedma. Nakikinig ka sa legitimate criticism pero kung panggulo lang at kagalit mo or inaaway ka lang, eh wag na natin patulan,” she added.

(It’s not ignoring. You will listen to legitimate criticism but if it’s only a troublemaker or you are just being attacked, then you should ignore it.”

Meanwhile, asked about her expectation of the Upper Chamber under Senate President Juan Miguel  Zubiri, she said it will be “efficient.”  

The President will deliver his first SONA on Monday, July 25, at the Batasang Pambansa, exactly 25 days since he took his oath as the 17th President of the Philippines.

Speech

In an interview with reporters, Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos was asked about his father's preparation regarding the SONA.

"I've seen parts of the speech. I haven’t seen all of it. I’ve seen part of him rehearsing it. I think people will be very happy with what he has to say," Sandro said.

He said his father's speech would depict what will be the direction of foreign and local investors as well as the lawmakers.

Asked if it will be like the SONA of late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., he said there could be similarities in terms of the style of delivery.

The younger Marcos refused to disclose the priority measures that could be mentioned in the SONA.

"I don’t want to preempt the President. That’s what the SONA is for. And of course, being the presidential son, if I were to say something, it carries some weight. I think it’s better that we wait for his SONA," the neophyte congressman said.

Meanwhile, Paul Soriano, who will direct Marcos' SONA, said it would be simple and traditional.

Soriano is wearing a black Barong Tagalog with a Philippine flag brooch.

"Again, the star of this day is his message to the Filipino people," Soriano said.—AOL, GMA News