Zaldy Co requested fish import allocations for two bogus firms — DA chief

Metro Manila, Philippines – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday, Nov. 27, revealed that two of three nominated by former lawmaker Zaldy Co for fish import allocations turned out as “bogus” companies.

In a briefing, the agriculture chief said the other two firms apart from the nominated ZC Victory Fishing Corporation he revealed in a House probe in September are Baywatch & Oceanflower Aquamarine Products and FD St. Jude Fishing Company.

“‘Yan dalawang na yon bogus yon may isa lang barko na maliit na nakatali lang. Hindi nangingisda pero humihingi ng another 1,000 and another 1,000 containers,” he said. 

“They’re not qualified. Basically, parang paper fishing company ‘to, in essence, with one asset,” Tiu Laurel added.

[Translation: These two are bogus, there’s only one small ship that’s tied up. It’s not used for fishing but they are asking for another 1,000, and another 1,000 containers. They’re not qualified. Basically, it’s like a paper fishing company, in essence, with one asset.]

Tiu Laurel had said Co pressured him to issue fish import allocations but denied the request to make sure the distribution would be fair and transparent to the fish market. 

He also briefly showed reporters a printed copy of a text message Co sent him that requested for the containers. He said he would use this as evidence in court and is bound by the law to show it to the public without Co’s consent. 

Other requests

Tiu Laurel also disclosed other requests by Co in response to the former lawmaker’s accusations of corruption and smuggling within the Department of Agriculture. 

He confirmed that Co requested 13 million metric tons of imported rice which was equivalent to at least 20 million metric tons of palay (unmilled rice). 

“Buti na lang hindi siya nasunod [It’s a good thing that the request was denied],” he said, explaining that that amount of imported rice would severely impact earnings of local farmers. 

Tiu Laurel said Co could have earned an estimated ₱20 billion pesos from the rice importation. 

The Cabinet member said the former lawmaker added ₱1.5 billion in insertions into the DA before he was appointed as chief, adding that Co withdrew the insertions after he assumed office. 

Tiu Laurel also challenged Co to return home and face mounting charges. The ex-lawmaker is on the run amid ongoing probes on his ties to the flood control mess and anomalous ghost infrastructure projects.