Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
Opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday pointed to the government’s alleged corruption and incompetence as the reasons behind the rice crisis in some areas in Mindanao.
“When rice prices go up unabated, it means 25 million Filipinos will either have one less meal a day or no meal at all,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
“Millions are going hungry today because of the corruption and incompetence of this administration and its failure to ensure a stable and steady supply of rice in the market,” he added.
Pangilinan also took a swipe at President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation revoking the amnesty given to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of his fiercest critics, that came in the midst of an alleged rice shortage.
“The Administration’s response in the middle of the rice crisis? Arrest a vocal leader of opposition,” he said.
Opposition senators have called on the government to address the rice crisis in Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; and the increasing prices of commodities in the market.
On Wednesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation spiked at 6.4 percent in August, the fastest in over nine years since inflation came in at 6.6 percent in March 2009.
READ: Inflation hits new 9-year high of 6.4% in August
This prompted Senator Bam Aquino, another member of the opposition, to ask the administration to certify as urgent Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
READ: Bam Aquino renews call for suspension of excise tax on fuel products
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