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BE IT AGRICULTURAL, commercial or industrial products, smuggling (to avoid payment of proper duties and taxes), is always being protected by someone powerful, influential and untouchable. A mafia of sorts.
At least that is what I have believed and have been preaching all these years. I know for a fact that anyone, faced with stiff penalties and jail terms for smuggling into the country dutiable goods but forego payment for duties and taxes is always backed up by a padrino.
Turns out I have not been mistaken because of recent pronouncements even by a fleeing fugitive like former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, who claims that a powerful sibling is behind the cartel manipulating the supply and prices of rice, onions and other agricultural commodities.
‘Laurel, in a Facebook post, dismissed allegations made by Co as “total baloney” and “a script fit for Netflix.” Co’s detailed accusations linked administration figures to supposed irregularities in the price and import manipulation of rice, sugar, onions, and fish.’
BALONEY ALLEGATIONS
Even if we believe that Co’s allegations have to be taken with a grain of salt— not to be believed as gospel truth— still there is some credence to his claims. For who would dare touch or investigate these powerful siblings.
Besides, Co’s choice of forum– social media– to blurt out such accusations makes it incredible, to say the least. Still let us give him a good grade for his courage to do so.
Co claims that First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and her brother, Martin, have been heading the rice and onion cartels, which control the supply and prices of these goods to the detriment of consumers– rich, struggling middle class and poor. As expected, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. branded such claims as “total baloney.”
The alleged family cartel is being supported by former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Laurel Jr. who cover for them while consumers get hit by high food costs, Co claimed.
Co said when costs reached P600 per kilo instead of the usual P80 in 2022, the House investigation into onion prices was abruptly halted because, he alleged, FL contacted Romualdez to abort the probe.
“Doon lumabas ang pangalan ni Martin Araneta bilangisa sa mga nasa likod ng kontrol sa importasyon ng sibuyas,” he said.
“Pero hindi po natuloy ang imbestigasyon, ang sabi niSpeaker tinawagan daw siya ni First Lady Liza Marcos at ipinapatigil ang imbestigasyon kaya walang natuloyat walang naparusahan. Dahil pala kontrolado ng kapatid ng First Lady ang importasyon ng sibuyas,” he added.
RICE CASE ISN’T ANY BETTER
For rice, the situation isn’t any better. Despite Co’s push in 2023 to import 13 million metric tons and lower tariffs to zero to make rice more affordable, prices continued to skyrocket.
A House investigation into rice imports was blocked after a confidential report shown by Laurel to the House panel that linked the FL to the rice importers, Co said.
“Nakasaad dito na si First Lady Liza Marcos mismoang may hawak sa mga rice importers.
“Ayon kay Sec. Laurel maaapektuhan daw ang First Lady kung itutuloy ang imbestigasyon dahil kasamaraw nila sa Vietnam visit ang ilang importer ng bigas at nag-dinner pa raw sila roon,” he said.
The President’s eldest son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, called to halt the House inquiry, according to Co.
“At noong araw ding yun, tumawag si Cong. Sandro Marcos kay Speaker Romualdez upang ipatigil ang House investigation tungkol sa bigas as instructed ng Pangulo. Magkasama kami ni Speaker Martin Romualdez ng tumawag si Cong. Sandro Marcos,” he said.
Co said Romualdez also scolded Laurel during a meeting at the Manila Polo Club for releasing the confidential report that linked the First Lady to “rice smuggling.”
“Humihingi ng paumanhin si Sec. Laurel Tiu at sinabiniyang pasensya na masyado akong naive,” he said.
“Doon namin naintindihan kung bakit kahit ibinababaang import tax ng bigas mula 35 percent to 15 percent ay hindi pa rin bumababa ang presyo sa merkado dahilpala sa dami ng SOP at remittance na ipinapasa sabawat transaksyon,” he added.
S.O.P COLLECTIONS
As for sugar importation, Co claimed the alleged ‘SOP collections” from sugar. Romualdez told him that the President asked him (the former Speaker) to help cover campaign expenses for both national and local candidates in the 2025 polls.
Co added that Romualdez reported “SOP collections” at the Bureau of Customs totaling P11 billion, along with P9 billion from sugar, which he alleged is being divided among only five companies to control sugar prices in the market.
Laurel, in a Facebook post, dismissed allegations made by Co as “total baloney” and “a script fit for Netflix.”
Co’s detailed accusations linked administration figures to supposed irregularities in the price and import manipulation of rice, sugar, onions, and fish.
Laurel clarified that:
• Tariff Reduction Discussions was not his suggestion alone but that many sectors pushed for it.
• Co’s Recommendation was for “zero tariff, not 15%.”
• During the House investigation, Laurel did not send confidential messages to lawmakers to stop the rice-importation probe.
The DA chief made these remarks in a text message and Viber message to several news outlets on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.