‘Quezon Mafia’ performers in DA—Alcala

By: Bong Lozada - 11 years ago

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala lashed back at accusations of an alleged “Quezon Mafia” that is currently controlling the activities of the department.

In an interview with Inquirer Radio 990AM Monday morning, Alcala confirmed that there are personalities from Quezon province, where he also served as district representative, that hold positions in the DA but said that these people are “performers.”

“I’m not denying that I have acquaintances from Quezon that hold positions here in DA, but what they call as the ‘Quezon Mafia’ are performers right now,” Alcala said.

Alcala was reacting to accusations of activist lawyer Argee Guevarra who filed a plunder case against him after the government imported 205,700 metric tons of rice from Vietnam to support the relief efforts in Central Visayas after the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

Alcala pointed out the achievements of his men especially in the fisheries subsector which had a negative performance rating for the past six years before he assumed his post in 2010.

“For the past six years, the fisheries subsector had a negative performance. Last year, it has a positive five rating.”

He added that they expect the exportation of tuna and prawn from the country to have quadruple results.

Alcala also stressed out the “mafia’s” performance on the corn industry as the country now exports to South Korea and is on the negotiating table with Japan.