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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM losing sleep over thought of starving Pinoys--Romualdez

PBBM losing sleep over thought of starving Pinoys--Romualdez

Published Sep 2, 2023 05:59 am

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez gave a glimpse into the mindset of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that explained why the latter implemented a price ceiling on rice, which the staple food of Filipinos.

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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left,) Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez gave a glimpse into the mindset of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that explained why the latter implemented a price ceiling on rice, which the staple food of Filipinos.

In a chance interview during a raid on rice warehouses in Bulacan last Wednesday, Aug. 30, Romualdez said that Marcos loses sleep over the thought that Filipinos are hungry or can't afford basic goods.

"Si Presidente hindi yan makakatulog kung meron siyang nalalaman na nagugutom na Pilipino o sobrang nahihirapan na kasi mataas yung presyo ng bilihin (The President can't sleep if he finds out that Filipinos are hungry or find it very difficult to cope with rising prices of goods)," Romualdez said.

“Naghahanap kami ng paraan kung paano ang gagawin natin para giginhawa yung buhay ng ating taumbayan, ng mga Pilipino. Yun ang gusto talaga ng Presidente (We're trying to look for ways to alleviate the burden of our countrymen, the Filipinos. That's what the President really wants)," added the Leyte 1st district congressman.

The next day, Aug. 31, Marcos' Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Executive Order (EO) No.39, which imposed a P41 per kilo price cap for regular milled rice and P45 per kilo price cap for well-milled rice.

Marcos is the concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA), a position he has held since the start of his presidency on June 30, 2022.

Romualdez, leader of the 311-strong House of Representatives, has said that the warehouse raids will continue as a way for government to clamp down on rice hoarders and smugglers.

The surprise raids are part of the initiative of Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

Related Tags

Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos rice price cap Martin Romualdez Rice prices
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