President Marcos turns over DA post to fishing tycoon

MANILA, Philippines — After more than a year of running the Department of Agriculture (DA), President Marcos has handed over the post to his long-time friend, fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., with the first marching orders to boost production and bring down food prices.

Marcos announced Laurel’s appointment during a press conference on Friday morning at Malacañang after administering the latter’s oath of office.

“It is time that we have found somebody who understands very well the problems that agriculture is facing,” Marcos said of Laurel, who was standing next to him.

Laurel served as president of Frabelle Fishing Corp., the world’s third largest tuna fishing company, from 1985 to Oct. 31 this year. He was also a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council-Agriculture Sector Group.

Marcos said he is banking on Laurel’s years of experience in the fishing industry. “We are confident, Secretary Kiko and I are confident, that we have a fair understanding, a good understanding of what it is that needs to be done, what are the problems,” he said.

Marcos also vouched for Laurel’s integrity and competence to lead the DA, which the Chief Executive said is one of the most important government agencies.

“I have known Secretary Laurel for a long time. I’ve known him since we were boys. So, I am confident in appointing him because I know his qualities. First of all, I know he’s hard working. Second, he understands well the agricultural system here in the Philippines,” Marcos said. “So, we all expect that he will do a very good job.”

Laurel was one of Marcos’ top donors in the 2022 presidential elections, according to a Bilyonaryo.com report last month.

The President said he decided to name a full-time agriculture chief after finally coming up with “very good idea” to address the challenges faced by the sector.

Asked about his first marching orders to Laurel, Marcos said gaining control over rising prices of agricultural goods is an issue that needs to be immediately resolved. 

“The obvious one is try and gain control of the prices of all the agricultural commodities that are going up,” Marcos said.

Full support

Agri stakeholders and various farmers’ groups backed the appointment of Laurel, expressing their full support and readiness to work closely with the new DA secretary.

“We are expecting his appointment for more than a week now. We had a preliminary meeting with him two weeks ago and we had expressed our full support and cooperation for the benefit of our agriculture stakeholders. We welcome him and we wish him all the luck and the blessings of our Lord,” Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. president Danilo Fausto said.

“The Federation of Free Farmers welcomes the appointment of a full-time Secretary of Agriculture.  We wish Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. success in his new position, and we are prepared to work closely with him,” former agriculture secretary and Federation of Free Farmers chairman Leonardo Montemayor said.

United Broiler Raisers Association president Elias Jose Inciong and Philippine Egg Board chairman Gregorio San Diego said they would keep an open mind on the appointment of Laurel.

Meat Importers and Traders Association president Jesus Cham said Laurel “brings with him a wealth of experience and understanding covering the livestock and fisheries sector.”

Former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Asis Perez said the new DA secretary “is very competent and familiar with realities and challenges of production, post-harvest and marketing.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. expressed confidence that Laurel will be able to manage the agriculture portfolio efficiently and well, given that he is a proven and tested agri-business entrepreneur.

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. president Rolando Tambago said the group hopes the new agriculture chief will promote and strengthen local production, which would boost agri industries.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura executive director Jayson Cainglet said the new agriculture secretary should commit “that he will reject, much more to support, all proposals to reduce tariffs on all agricultural commodities.”

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority said it is ready to work with the new agri chief in providing world-class fishery post-harvest facilities and quality service.

Sugar Regulatory Administration chief Pablo Azcona and presidents of various sugar planters’ federations in the country also welcomed the appointment of Laurel.

“We commit to you our full cooperation as you begin the challenging but rewarding job of managing the country’s agricultural assets in general, and the sugar industry in particular. To this end, we look forward to meeting you,” the Sugar Council said in a statement.

For its part, fisherfolk group Pamalakaya urged Laurel to eliminate liberalization policies that enable the importation of agri-fisheries products to the detriment of local food producers.

Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women secretary general Cathy Estavillo said Laurel’s appointment was not a surprise as President Marcos was only settling a political debt. Laurel was reportedly one of Marcos’ top donors in the 2022 elections.

‘Give him time’

Senators are giving Laurel time to prove himself after being appointed by President Marcos to the agriculture portfolio.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri welcomed the appointment of Laurel as the new secretary of the DA, saying that “Kiko Laurel has the management experience and the common touch to lead what is perhaps the most important agency in the country today.”

“It’s a good decision to appoint a full-time secretary for the Department of Agriculture as increasing our food production must be our top priority. Now, if the question is if Mr. Tiu Laurel is a good choice for DA sec, let us give him time to prove himself,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Laurel’s appointment to the DA is a signal that the agriculture sector needs practical and sensible solutions to boost productivity.

“Let’s give him the chance to work. He comes with a fisheries background. But the agricultural industry is more than just fisheries and its underlying issues are firmly rooted. Only the passage of time will reveal whether the President’s decision to appoint him was a wise one,” Sen. Francis Tolentino added.

“I am wishing newly appointed Sec. Francisco Laurel all the best to be able to fix a very complicated problem that is the Department of Agriculture,” Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito stated.

“I know him to be a sincere, no-nonsense, honest and hardworking patriot. I congratulate Sec. Tiu-Laurel on his appointment, wish him well and look forward to working with him,” Sen. Francis Escudero noted.

Sen. Grace Poe said Laurel must have the focus, fortitude to get things done and genuine feeling for the sector. “As the first order of the day, we hope the new DA chief would take to heart the President’s warning in his SONA against smugglers, hoarders and price fixers,” Poe said.

“Laurel is the right man for the job. He brings with him decades of hands-on experience in the agricultural sector. There is no doubt on his competence and capability in steering the department towards the revitalization of agriculture and attaining food security in the country,” Sen. Bong Revilla said.

Sen. Cynthia Villar said the President has the prerogative on who to appoint. “Let us respect his decision,” she said.

Even opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros welcomed the appointment of Laurel, but vowed to verify murmurs of conflict of interest during his confirmation at the Commission on Appointments (CA).

“We will await Secretary Tiu-Laurel when he goes before the Commission on Appointments, so these issues affecting his capacity to lead the DA can be scrutinized and the concerns of our peasant farmers and fisherfolk discussed,” the senator said.

The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, also welcomed yesterday the appointment Laurel to the DA.

According to Romualdez, Laurel’s “extensive background in the private sector provides him with a wealth of experience that will be invaluable in his new job.”

For House Majority Leader and Zamboana City Rep. Mannix Dalipe, Pres. Marcos made a “perfect choice” in appointing the “fishing magnate” as his replacement in DA.

House committee on agriculture and food and Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga underscored the new secretary’s “leadership and experience bring positive changes to the agriculture sector in the country.”

Panel vice chair and Quezon Rep. David Suarez also pointed out that aside from Laurel’s vast experience, they believe he will bring “innovation and vigor to the department that sits at the forefront of Pres. Marcos’ agenda and vision for a Bagong Pilipinas.”

Agri Partylist Rep. Wilbert Lee has expressed hope that Laurel will be able to continue the programs and projects implemented by the President to develop the country’s agricultural sector.

But for House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Laurel’s appointment “seems to be a political payback,” as she alleged that Laurel contributed at least P30 million to the President’s campaign in 2022 through the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

Castro maintained the President should not use government positions to pay back those who helped him as she questioned Laurel’s qualifications.