Pangilinan says seeing corruption in agri sector urged him to advocate for farmers

Senator Francis Pangilinan talks with Vice President Leni Robredo on BISErbisyong LENI on DZXL. Screengrab from RMN DZXL 558 Manila.

MANILA, Philippines — Seeing corruption and poverty in the agriculture sector compelled Senator Francis Pangilinan to advocate for farmers, he said on Sunday.

Pangilinan, vice presidential aspirant for the 2022 elections, narrated that he was previously offered to lead the agriculture committee in the Senate, which Senator Cynthia Villar currently chairs, after he failed the Senate presidency race.

“Naisip ko nung nangampanya po tayo nung 2010 ‘di ba ang ating ano nun is anti-corruption and anti-poverty. Nung mga panahon na ‘yun, masyadong notorious ‘yung corruption sa agri,” Pangilinan explained over the BISErbisyong LENI program on DZXL, citing the fertilizer scam, among other issues in the agriculture sector.

(When I was campaigning in 2010, I advocated for anti-corruption and anti-poverty. During those times, corruption was notorious in the agriculture sector.)

“So corruption, sabi ko ‘yun ang problema sa agri. Matindi rin ‘yung corruption and then poverty. Sabi ko, ang mga pinakamahirap na sektor ay ‘yung sektor ng pangingisda at pagsasaka. And rural is where poverty is most acute,” he added.

(I thought, corruption, that’s the problem in agriculture. The corruption and poverty is harsh. I said, the most poor sector is the farmers and fisherfolk.)

He decided to accept the offer since he campaigned for anti-corruption and anti-poverty.

“Sabi ko, sige, I will walk the walk. Tanggapin ko ‘yung agri, hanapan ko ng solusyon d’on sa corruption tsaka ‘yung usapin ng poverty at ‘yun, tuloy-tuloy na,” said Pangilinan.

(I said, I will walk the talk. I will accept agriculture and find solutions against corruption and poverty.)

Before farming, Pangilinan’s advocacy was justice, and he observed injustice in the agriculture sector.

“Nung nabasa ko nga ‘yung naging sitwasyon ng ating mga magsasaka, sabi ko, hindi makatarungan na ‘yung mga nagpapakain sa atin, nagbabanat ng buto, nagkakanda kuba na sa kakasaka, na hindi sila makakain nang maayos. Sila ‘yung naghihirap,” he explained.

(When I was reading the situation of our farmers, I said, it wasn’t fair that they are the ones who feed us and sacrificed yet they are the ones who do not eat well.)

“It’s really the sense of justice na nauna sa (that comes first) — I guess all my life — kung hindi makatarungan, dapat ayusin (if it’s not fair, it needs to be fixed),” he went on.

Vice President Leni Robredo, Pangilinan’s running mate, noted that he does what he advocates for as he is a farmer himself.

“Kasi, sabi ko, hindi ko maiintindihan nang lubos ‘yung ipinaglalaban ko kung hindi ako mismo maranasan,” Pangilinan expounded, noting that he experienced losing crops because of a typhoon or being infested with pests.

(I would not deeply understand what I’m fighting for if I, myself, would not experience it.)

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