Several times in the past, groups and lawmakers asked Dar to resign over various issues, including rising pork prices, and his alleged preference for imported products.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — A government intelligence agency is validating a list of more than 20 persons allegedly involved in the large-scale smuggling of agricultural products, including their coddlers in government.
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director Edsel Batalla confirmed the information during the third hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole on Tuesday.
Included in the list are four alleged high-profile smugglers that Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III received from a whistleblower.
Sotto dropped their names and areas of operation during the hearing, although Batalla stressed that “these are all raw information and for validation.”
Sotto, a vice presidential candidate, called on the NICA to fast-track its validation: “Lalo na ‘yung mga protector, baka maboto pa, e [Specially their protectors, who might even be elected).”
After the March 28 hearing, the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas said authorities conducted anti-smuggling operations in Divisoria in Manila and Quezon province markets. But the traders said recent reports have shown the return of smuggled goods.
Yap: Give me the names of smugglers
Meanwhile, Benguet legislative caretaker and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap, who has been accused of involvement in smuggling, asked to be invited to the hearing to clear his name. He requested the La Trinidad group’s public relations officer, Agot Balanoy, to clarify the allegations against him.
“Ang tinutukoy po ba ni Ms. Balanoy ay ako po ba [Was Ms. Balanoy referring to me]?” he said. “I have nothing to hide.”
Yap urged the Department of Agriculture to name the politicians who have been calling the agency for favors. He said they could tell them in confidence if they are afraid to speak up, adding that he will “take the challenge” and expose them in the Senate.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste previously admitted to receiving phone calls from big-time personalities trying to influence anti-smuggling efforts. But during Tuesday’s hearing, he clarified that those who called him were not the government officials themselves but people who name-dropped the executives.
Where is Dar?
Meanwhile, lawmakers hit the absence of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, who has only been sending representatives since the first hearing.
“Kailan siya libre at anong oras, kami mag-a-adjust sa kanya,” Sotto said. “Masagot lang niya itong mga alegasyon na ito, mabigat ito, e.”
[Translation: When is he free and what time, we will adjust for him. So that he can address these serious allegations.]
Sotto said it may be time for President Rodrigo Duterte sack the agriculture chief.
“Aanhin mo pa ‘yan e lahat ng stakeholders ng agrikultura sa Pilipinas kaaway niya. Ang kakampi niya lang importer,” Sotto said.
[Translation: What do you need him for when all stakeholders in the Philippine agriculture sector are his enemies. His only allies are the importers.]
