Press Officer of Malacañang Speaks on P20 per Kilo Rice Sale
Malacañang insisted that there is no politics involved in the sale of rice for P20 per kilo in Visayas amid the criticisms.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recently announced that rice will be sold at P20 per kilo in Visayas. It is a partial fulfillment of the aspiration of Pres. Bongbong Marcos for affordable rice for the Filipino people.
However, according to Vice Pres. Duterte, the P20 per kilo rice sale in Visayas is a little too late. In 2024, Vice Pres. Duterte called on the fulfillment of the campaign promise of Pres. Bongbong Marcos for affordable rice.
On the P20 per kilo rice sale in Visayas, Vice pres. Sara Duterte expressed her doubts linking it to the May 2025 Elections. According to her, it is confusing why the affordable rice is only available in Visayas despite its nationwide need.
Vice Pres. Duterte stressed that Luzon and Mindanao also need affordable rice. According to her, the people behind it might have a problem with the votes in Visayas. Malacañang reacted to Duterte’s criticism of the P20 per kilo rice sale telling the Vice President to stop being a termite in the society.
Reducing the cost of rice was a campaign promise of Pres. Bongbong Marcos during the 2022 Elections. Then, Marcos Jr. was a running mate of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. Following the announcement of the agriculture department, the Vice President stressed that the rice that should be sold at P20 per kilo must be fit for human consumption.
The Department of Agriculture claimed that they’re “deeply hurt” by the remarks of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte on the P20 per kilo rice sale. DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. claimed that the NFA rice is a quality rice which they cook and eat every day in the department.
Recently, Malacañang spoke anew on the P20 per kilo rice sale in Visayas. Based on a report on GMA News, Palace press officer Atty. Claire Castro insisted that there’s no politics involved in the sale of affordable rice.
”Walang puli-pulitika dito,” the press officer of Malacañang said.
Aside from the Vice President, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque also reacted to the P20 per kilo rice sale in Visayas.