Arthur Fuentes

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco is greeted by the press after the first meeting of the Metro Manila Council held at the MMDA headquarters in Makati on July 25, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

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Toby Tiangco

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco defended on Tuesday the fish import allocation for Trans-Pacific Journey Fishing Corp., which is owned by his family, saying it “has scientific basis” and is “fair”.Tiangco added that the policy has been in place since 2018, and his family has been in the fishing industry since 1948.“Very fair and scientific ‘yung basis ng allocation niyan. It is based on your contribution to the production for the past three years. Kung ano ang production ng fishing vessels ninyo, kung ano ‘yung percentage, ‘yan ‘yung percentage ng share ng kumpanya sa importation,” he explained.“’Yung industry, ayaw namin ng importation, kaya lang wala kaming magawa. Kung walang importation, mas mabuti sa amin,” Tiangco added.During the Department of Agriculture’s budget briefing before the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday, Rep. Terry Ridon flagged a possible conflict of interest, saying Tiangco previously sat as member of the House Aquaculture and Fisheries Committee.But Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. told the panel the import allocation was “scientific”. In the same briefing, Laurel said Rep. Zaldy Co pressured him to issue fish import allocations, amounting to 3,000 containers, to three companies he endorsed, but he rejected it.Tiangco criticized Co over this claim.“Ito namang si Zaldy ang dami nang pera, gusto pati legal na negosyo ng mga tao gusto kukunin niya. Ano ba naman yun? Hindi na ba nasiyahan yun?” he said.“Bakit si Zaldy Co nanghihingi siya ng 3,000 containers. That is the allocation for three years of the whole industry!” Tiangco added.He also accused Ridon of trying to cast doubt on his credibility.“Kasi ako yung nag-raise na ipatawag si Zaldy (sa flood control hearing), obvious na obvious, gusto niyang sirain yung crediility ko, kala niya may mahahanap siyang butas… kasi gusto nya proteksyunan si Zaldy Co,” Tiangco said.

Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco defended on Tuesday the fish import allocation for Trans-Pacific Journey Fishing Corp., which is owned by his family, saying it “has scientific basis” and is “fair”.

Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco defended on Tuesday the fish import allocation for Trans-Pacific Journey Fishing Corp., which is owned by his family, saying it “has scientific basis” and is “fair”.

Navotas Rep. Tiangco defends fish import allocation for firm owned by family: 'Very fair, scientific'

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Navotas Rep. Tiangco defends fish import allocation for firm owned by family: 'Very fair, scientific'

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 16, 2025 07:52 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

Navotas

Toby Tiangco

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