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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ridon brings up galunggong importation, Tiangco link in DA budget hearing

Ridon brings up galunggong importation, Tiangco link in DA budget hearing

Published Sep 16, 2025 10:46 am

At A Glance

  • Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon wondered out loud Monday, Sept. 15 whether or not there was conflict of interest on the part of his House colleague, Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco when his family's company became the biggest importer of galunggong (round scad) last year.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (left), Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (PPAB, Facebook)
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon (left), Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (PPAB, Facebook)


Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon wondered out loud Monday, Sept. 15 whether or not there was conflict of interest on the part of his House colleague, Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco when his family's company became the biggest importer of galunggong (round scad) last year.
Ridon raised this point during the Department of Agriculture's (DA) marathon budget hearing with the House Committee on Appropriations. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel attended the proceedings as head of agency.
During the hearing, Ridon asked Tiu-Laurel about the country’s galunggong importation in the last quarter of 2024.
According to Laurel, the DA approved the importation of 35,000 metric tons (MT) of galunggong and an additional 3,000 MT before 2024 ended.
The lawyer-solon then asked Tiu-Laurel whether or not he was familiar with Trans Pacific Journey (TPJ) Fishing Corporation.
"I have some information that Trans Pacific Journey Fishing Corporation was the biggest importer for that round, is that correct?" Ridon asked.
“Yes, because they are the biggest fishing company in terms of total volume of fish landed, not only galunggong. Kasi ang Trans Pacific Journey ay tuna at galunggong (Because Trans Pacific Journey imports tuna and galunggong),” Tiu-Laurel replied.
Underscoring the scale of TPJ, the DA chief added: “It’s not about galunggong. it’s not species specific, it’s about the total volume of seafood landed.”
"Can you state for the record who are the owners of this TPJ?" Ridon subsequently asked.
"The family of the Tiangcos, mr. chair," Tiu-Laurel said.
"Congressman Toby Tiangco?" Ridon asked in a follow up.
"Their family, kasi ang kumpanya na yan (because that company) was owned by their parents eh," the DA chief explained.
"You do not find any conflict of interest Mr. secretary that the Tiangcos are importing the largest...galunggong for this round?" asked Ridon, overall chairman of House Infrastructure Committee (infra comm).
“Well, If you want me to really comment on that, I think they deserve what they are getting," Tiu-Laurel said.
"Because they are pinaka malaking nila-land talaga eh (Because they are the company that really lands the most fish). This is very scientific and everything, so wala akong nakikitang issue (so I don't see any issue)," he added.
Ridon said he was merely "stating it for the record".
"Congressman Tiangco is actually a member of the [House] aquaculture and fisheries committee in the last Congress. So you did not make conflicts of interest checks relating to this?" he asked.
To this, Tiu-Laurel said that the TPJ has been in the finishing business for decades now.
“Yung kumpanya nila is (Their company is)… their family has been fishing for more than 60 years. It is performance-based, Mr. chair. Technically, kung sino ang pinakamaraming ni-land recorded… nagbabayad ng buwis yan (Technically, whoever had the most landed fish recorded...and they pay taxes), so they should get the biggest [importation] allocation,” he explained.
Tiangco is an independent member of the House of Representatives.
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