Yap to Pimentel: Prove claim on father-in-law
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:17:00 03/28/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has reiterated that his father-in-law, Jimmy Gaw, was never involved in rice trade and challenged Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel to prove his allegation.
"If what he's saying is true, then he should prove it," Yap said on radio Friday.
Pimentel asked Yap to disclose whether his father-in-law was into the business, citing reports he received that Gaw was "supposedly a cereal trader, either of rice or corn" in Metro Manila.
If this is true, Pimentel said there would be conflict of interest because of Yap's current post.
Pimentel's move came amid continued rise in prices of rice, partly caused by hoarding by traders.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered authorities to tighten up on hoarders.
In Butuan City Thursday, Arroyo directed the National Food Authority to immediately file criminal charges against eight NFA-accredited rice distributors in the province who allegedly violated NFA rules on pricing.
Arroyo visited the province to inspect rice stockpiles at NFA warehouses.
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