Group Bantay Bigas belittles the vow of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to go after hoarders and smugglers of agricultural products.
During his 2nd State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24, President Marcos blamed smugglers and hoarders for the increasing prices of goods.
"Hinahabol at ihahabla natin sila. Sadyang hindi tama ang kanilang gawain at hindi rin ito tugma sa ating magandang layunin. Pandaraya ang kanilang ginagawa," the Chief Executive vowed.
"Napapahamak hindi lamang ang mga magsasaka, kundi tayo ring mga mamimili. Kaya hindi natin papayagan ang ganitong kalakaran. Bilang na ang mga araw ng mga smugglers at hoarders na ‘yan," he added.
However, Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said on Tuesday, July 25, that the President just repeated an earlier pledge.
"These past few months ay binanggit na niya iyan tapos nakita natin na walang resulta. Ngayon, muli niyang binanggit," Estavillo said during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
Estavillo labeled the problem of hoarders and smugglers as among the challenges faced by President Marcos, who also holds the position of Agriculture Secretary.
