Marilyn Cahatol

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. answers questions during a press conference at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City on June 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175801131078220240625-laurel-francisco-agri-sec-JC-15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. answers questions during a press conference at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City on June 25, 2024. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained Tuesday why he mentioned Rep. Zaldy Co in the agriculture budget hearing at the House of Representatives.</p><p>Tiu Laurel on Monday <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/15/zaldy-co-pressured-da-to-issue-fish-import-allocations-to-3-firms-agri-chief-says-2020">revealed </a>that Co tried to pressure him to give his companies allocations on fish imports.</p><p>&quot;Mukhang pinupuntirya yung company ni Cong. Tiangco. I am not trying to defend Congressman [Tiangco], he can fight his own battles,&quot; Tiu Laurel said.</p><p>(It seems they are cornering the company of Representative Tiangco.)</p><p>&quot;Pero ang lumalabas sa line of questioning is pinaboran ko o ng ahensya ko na mabigyan yung kumpanya ni Congressman Tiangco ng pinakamalaking allocation, yun ang hindi ko matanggap,&quot; he added.</p><p>(The line of questioning seems to be leading to me favoring the company of Tiangco by giving him highest allocations. I cannot accept that.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/zaldy-co-proposed-p13-8-b-insertions-for-flood-control-other-infra-in-2025-budget-1142">Zaldy Co proposed P13.8 billion insertions for flood control, other infra in 2025 budget: Tiangco</a></div><p>Tiu Laurel said he was only defending the system of their import allocations, which he claimed could not be influenced by political figures.</p><p>&quot;I am very strict, our decisions are data driven with a formula na fair sa lahat. Even sa industry nga walang nagrereklamo. Nandon ako nanggaling. Kung may magrereklamo, sakin sila magreklamo,&quot; he said.</p><p>(I am strict and our decisions are fair and data-driven. Even industry players are not complaining. I came from that industry too. If they have complaints, they can course it through me.)</p><p>&quot;I believe our system is fair, just, and nasa tama. Walang pabor-pabor yon. Kaya nabanggit ko, kasi yung integridad na ng sistema namin ang kinukwestyon e,&quot; he said.</p><p>(I believe our system is fair, just, and on the right side. There are no favors. I mentioned Co because our system is already being questioned.)</p><p>Tiu Laurel said he was only trying to prove his point and illustrate to the congressmen that the import allocation system favors no one.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2024/11/28/agri-dept-approves-additional-imports-of-galunggong-other-fish-1312">Agri dept approves additional imports of fish like galunggong after typhoons</a></div><p>&quot;Ang sinabi ko lang naman, meron ngang congressman na humingi sakin, di ko nga pinagbigyan. Ibig sabihin, pati si Cong. Tiangco rin, kapag nagrequest siya, di ko rin siya pagbibigyan,&quot; he said.</p><p>(I only said that there is a congressman who went to me, and I did not allow it. It means that if Tiangco makes the same request, I will also not allow it.)</p><p>Tiu Laurel said that Co messaged him around October 2024 to pressure him into giving fish import allocations to companies the lawmaker nominated. The agriculture chief said he firmly rejected the request, which involved a massive volume of fish containers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/18/fisherfolk-to-be-added-to-p20-rice-program-on-aug-29-1453">Fisherfolk to be added to P20 rice program on Aug 29</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ty7DXWFNnOY" title="Lawmakers seek Rep. Zaldy Co’s presence in flood control probe | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1100" height="619" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/poXMZS1HA8w" title="FULL: DPWH chief Dizon to file cases vs Discaya-, Zaldy Co-linked contractors | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained why he mentioned Rep. Zaldy Co in the agriculture budget hearing at the House of Representatives.</p>

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained why he mentioned Rep. Zaldy Co in the agriculture budget hearing at the House of Representatives.

Agri chief says revelations on Zaldy Co meant to defend import system

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Agri chief says revelations on Zaldy Co meant to defend import system

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News,

Published Sep 16, 2025 04:42 PM PHT

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Tiu Laurel

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