Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday, Sept. 26, joined protesters in urging for the resignation of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan over their proposal to reduce tariffs on rice imports.

“Lahat ng barkada ko andito eh. Lahat ng kaibigan natin na mambubukid, mangingisda, lahat ng nanggaling sa Northern Luzon hanggang sa Central Luzon pati barkada galing Southern Luzon andito po. Nakikisuporta lang ako,” she told the media in an interview.

The protesters flocked in front of the Department of Finance (DOF) building, clamoring for the government to balance the situation as local producers stand to lose money if tariffs on imported rice were reduced.

“Kapag natapos ang Kongreso at nagsara 'yung Senado, ang nakakatakot diyan palulusutin 'yung reduction o 'di kaya zero tariff na importasyon sa kasagsagan ng anihan,” Marcos said, expressing her concern since the Congress is set for recess by Friday, Sept. 29.

Under the Republic Act (RA) 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, the President can increase, reduce, revise, or adjust existing import rates but only when Congress is not in session.

The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier proposed slashing the current 35 percent imposed tariff rates on imported rice from zero up to 10 percent to address the surging rice prices. This was also supported by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, thumbed down the proposal, stating that it was not the right time to lower the tariff rates.

“The projection of world rice prices is that it will go down. So, this is not the right time to lower tariffs. Tariffs are generally lowered when the price is going up,” he said.