DA chief denies Co’s 'fabricated lies,' says Co pushed for moves vs rice farmers

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday denied former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co’s allegations of political interference in food price inquiries as “fabricated lies” and claimed that it was Co who pushed for proposals that would have severely damaged the country’s rice industry.

GMA News Online has reached out to Co’s camp for his comment on Laurel’s claims and will publish his response once available.

In a press briefing in Quezon City, Laurel denied Co’s claim that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and her brother, Martin Araneta, meddled in agricultural decisions or investigations into onion and rice price spikes.

“The First Lady has never meddled in any DA matters… Fabricated lie ’to. Napakasinungaling talaga niya,” Laurel said.

(This is a fabricated lie. He is truly a liar.)

“Hindi rin totoo na involved si Martin Araneta sa onion importation or any smuggling or importation issue,” he added.

(It is also not true that Martin Araneta was involved in onion importation or any smuggling or importation issue) 

“Dalawang taon na ako dito sa opisina ko, kahit isang beses ko walang binigay o walang request sa akin si Martin Araneta for importation of onions or any agricultural commodities.”

(I’ve been in this office for two years, and not once has Martin Araneta given me or requested from me anything about importing onions or any agricultural commodity.)

Move that would have killed farmers' livelihood

On the contrary, Laurel said it was Co who made proposals that would have been detrimental to the benefit of rice farmers, including a recommendation in April 2023 to import 13 million metric tons of rice.

“Buti na lang hindi siya nasunod (Good thing it was not followed),” Laurel said, adding that the volume was equivalent to 20 million tons of palay or the country’s entire annual production.

He added that such a move would have “killed the livelihood” of rice farmers by flooding the market with imports.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary also confirmed that former Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez convened a meeting to discuss rice tariffs, but said Co’s claim that it was other people pushed for overly low tariffs was misleading.

He said it was Co who recommended cutting rice tariffs to 0%, which was opposed by the Department of Finance (DFA) and the DA.

The DA initially pushed for 25% while the DOF suggested a 20% tariff, with the two government agencies eventually recommending a 15% tariff which took effect in July 2024.

Laurel said the impact on retail prices was slow because global rice prices jumped to $710 per metric ton, limiting the immediate effect of tariff adjustments.

Laurel not scolded, reprimanded

He also countered Co’s narrative that he was scolded or reprimanded at the Manila Polo Townhomes, saying he went there only for legislative coordination.

“Hindi rin totoo na pumunta ako… Para pagalitan lang nila,” he said.

(It is not true that I went there just to be scolded.)

Laurel added that House agriculture committee chair and QuintaCom co-chair Rep. Mark Enverga already publicly rejected Co’s accusations, calling them “illogical and absurd.”

Laurel said he has ordered his staff to begin compiling documents for possible legal action as he may file a cyber libel complaint over Co’s defamatory claims.

“I told him to prepare a case whether to file it or not… We have to be very careful, we have to be very thorough,” he said, adding that he wants the complaint to be very thorough before it is filed by December or January.

He added that he is also prepared to present evidence to authorities, including text messages and other documents, which he has publicly referenced but could not yet release without legal clearance.

Laurel also assured that he is willing to release documents related to the issues raised, but said legal rules on confidentiality would require Co’s permission.

The resigned lawmaker has released a series of “tell-all” videos claiming the First Lady intervened to stop congressional investigations into the 2022 onion crisis and 2024 rice price surge and that the First Lady’s brother was linked to onion smuggling. — JMA, GMA Integrated News