Acidre tells Piñol: Rice prices spiked during your time at DA

North Cotabato gubernatorial candidate Manny Piñol (left) and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre. PHOTO FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES/INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Another lawmaker has called out North Cotabato gubernatorial candidate Manny Piñol after he criticized the government over its growing debt.

He reminded the public that rice prices spiked during Piñol’s time as agricultural secretary.

Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Wednesday said it is important to assess Piñol’s track record as he tries to woo voters in North Cotabato.

According to Acidre, rice prices rose by P70 per kilogram in some areas when he headed the Department of Agriculture (DA), back during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s time.

“During Secretary Piñol’s tenure, rice prices rose to levels that placed a heavy burden on many Filipino families,” Acidre said in a statement.

“It’s important to remember that history, especially when public trust is being sought again,” he noted.

“In September 2018, the rice crisis emerged as a national issue tied to broader economic challenges,” Acidre recalled.

“Inflation peaked at 6.7% that month — the highest in nearly a decade — with food inflation among poor households even higher,” he pointed out.

“As the staple food of Filipinos, rice was at the center of the crisis: Retail prices for well-milled rice in Metro Manila ranged from P46 to P48 per kilo, about 14% higher than the previous year,” he remembered.

Acidre’s criticism of Piñol came after the latter’s campaign sortie in North Cotabato, video footage of which was uploaded on the former DA official’s Facebook page.

Piñol spoke using the local dialect.

He said that government programs like aid distribution have a hidden agenda—the desire of the current administration’s officials to stay in power beyond their term.

Piñol also said the government’s debt has ballooned to P16.6 trillion under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.

Acidre — just like  Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun — however, noted that it was during Duterte’s time that the country’s debt piled up.

According to both lawmakers, the country’s debt after the term of former President Benigno Aquino III — Duterte’s predecessor — was only at P6.6 trillion.

However, the Duterte administration borrowed P7.2 trillion.

This means he left office with the Philippines having a debt of over P13 trillion.

Borrowings during Duterte’s time were higher than the combined debt left by the two previous presidents.

READ: Solon hits Piñol’s criticism of PH debt, calls it ‘brazen hypocrisy’ 

“Trust is built not just on words, but on actions and outcomes. Voters have every right to review past performance and ask the necessary questions,” Acidre said.

“Ultimately, we owe it to the public to present facts and let them decide,” he added.