MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on Friday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should “curse out” due to the skyrocketing prices of agricultural commodities.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference, the former Senate president said there is no longer a need for the country to create new laws to eradicate smuggling as the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act signed by Marcos is already good.
He also said that the law only needs “political will” to be implemented.
“Dapat magmura na ang presidente natin, lalong lalo na sa presyo ng agricultural commodities, dahil sa pang aabuso nitong mga cartel na ito — whether it’s a tomato cartel, rice cartel, vegetable cartel — kailangan magalit na po ang ating pangulo,” Zubiri said.
(Our president must curse out, especially the price of agricultural commodities, because of the abuse of these cartels — whether it’s a tomato cartel, rice cartel, vegetable cartel — our president must be angry.)
“I hope he doesn’t get too forgiving and I hope he takes out the fang that we put in the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling law,” he added.
However, Zubiri said anger alone could not suffice. He said the president can decide to replace his people if they are not performing their sworn duties well.
Earlier, Marcos ordered the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture to strictly implement the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
According to Marcos, the chain enabling smugglers to continue profiting from people must be broken.
READ: Marcos wants tougher action vs agri smugglers