News Roundup 18 August 2022
Aug 18, 2022 • 5 min Read
Jesse Robredo remembered on his 10th death anniversary | INQUIRER.NET – A series of activities in Naga City, Camarines Sur and in Metro Manila marked the 10 death anniversary of the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo on Thursday. Robredo’s family and colleagues delivered speeches honoring him in the “Isang Dekada: Commemorating the Life and Service of Jesse M. Robredo” program at the “Museo ni Jesse Robredo,” which was streamed on the Facebook page of former vice president Leni Robredo. The former vice president remembered her husband fondly in her speech, describing him as loving and diligent. “Kapag sinasabihan ako ng marami na hindi ako napapagod at napakasipag ko, ang palagi kong sagot ay ‘hindi niyo nakita asawa ko’,” she said. (Whenever I am told by a lot of people that I do not get tired and that I am so hardworking, I always answer, ‘you have not seen my husband’). Jesse Robredo’s younger sister Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, also recounted how her brother was strict and protective. She had dreams of her brother several times after his death, including one when his widow ran for president in 2022. “Napaginipan ko naman siya and, yung dream ko is nag-oobserve siya… ano nangyayari, ano ginagawa natin, pero ano siya, kampante. Para bang message niya is ‘alam ko na alam niyo ang ginagawa niyo’”, said Bundoc. (I dreamt of him observing what was happening, but he looked calm. It was like he was saying, ‘I am confident that you know what you are doing). The late DILG secretary’s daughters, Dr. Tricia Robredo, Aika Robredo, and Jillian Robredo also attended programs in Naga City to mark the death anniversary. The Naga City local government held its “Commemoration of 10th Jesse Robredo Day,” a program remembering their former mayor, which the Robredo family also attended. A wreath-laying ceremony was held in the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park, where Robredo was buried. In Quezon City, a commemorative Mass was also held at the Ateneo de Manila College Chapel, presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ.
Hontiveros urges Marcos to appoint DA chief to avert sugar crisis | INQUIRER.NET – Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to appoint an agriculture secretary to prevent a looming sugar supply crisis. Marcos Jr. concurrently serves as the DA secretary. “This fiasco with the SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the chaotic organization and operation of the DA,” said Hontiveros in a statement. “The president should reconsider his position and appoint a competent person who would take charge of the DA, end all controversies in the department, and focus on helping farmers and ensuring adequate food supply in the country,” she added. For Hontiveros, being an agriculture chief cannot be a “part-time job” as the public will be the ones to suffer the consequences. “It is clear by now that having the president also perform the tasks of a DA Secretary only causes confusion and dysfunctionality in the bureaucracy,” the opposition senator said. “Hindi pwedeng part-time job ang pagtutok sa krisis na ito. Kailangan natin ng magaling at maayos na Secretary sa DA na full-time na tutulong sa mga magsasaka at konsumer,” she continued. (Focusing on the sugar crisis cannot be a part-time job. We need an excellent and organized DA secretary who will help farmers and consumers full time.) Earlier, the SRA posted on its website Sugar Order No. 4, authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. Malacañang was quick to deny the document, saying Marcos rejected the proposal. Following the mess, three officials have quit their posts.
Customs raids Pampanga sugar warehouse over alleged hoarding | PHILSTAR.COM – The Bureau of Customs raided a warehouse in Pampanga suspected of hoarding thousands of sacks of sugar amid the sugar price hike, Malacañang said Thursday. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. ordered the raid of Lison Building that houses the New Public Market in San Fernando City. BOC is directed to “exercise its visitorial powers to all customs bonded warehouse and to check on the inventory of imported agricultural products with the aim of finding out if there is hoarding of sugar.” Operatives of the Clark-based Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS)-Quick Reaction Team seized sacks of imported sugar, which were suspected to be hoarded from Thailand, stockpiled inside the warehouse. BoC agents also seized hundreds of sacks found loaded inside delivery vans. The warehouse owners may face charges of smuggling in relation to the provisions of The Customs Modernization Act if proven that the sacks of sugar were smuggled. “The BoC’s Pampanga sugar warehouse may very well serve as a warning to unscrupulous traders who are currently hoarding their stocks of sugar in order to profit from the current artificial sugar shortage situation,” Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez said. According to reports reaching the Office of the Executive Secretary, such massive importation of sugar could result in windfall profits for the traders of at least P300 million with a portion of the amount earmarked as lobby money. The Philippines is experiencing a shortage of sugar with makers of three leading brands of carbonated drinks saying there was a problem with the supply. Marcos said Wednesday he would reorganize the Sugar Regulatory Administration following the issuance of the “illegal” order to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The controversy led to a string of resignations.
