DA urges next Congress to restore NFA's key powers
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it will call on the upcoming 20th Congress, which would convene in late July, to restore key powers to the National Food Authority (NFA) in a bid to revitalize its financial and logistical capabilities and help improve rice farmers' profitability.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that allowing the NFA to sell even its non-aging rice inventory would give the agency greater financial flexibility and free up warehouse space—enabling it to procure more palay from farmers at better prices.
The NFA is seeking to double its palay procurement budget to P18 billion for 2026, which would allow it to purchase up to 10% of the country's harvest and build up buffer stocks for disaster response and price stabilization.
'If the NFA is allowed to sell rice stocks promptly—especially through initiatives like President Marcos' P20 per kilo rice program—we can reinvest the funds to buy more palay at fairer prices," Tiu Laurel said.
As chairman of the NFA Council, the Agriculture chief said that with enhanced legislative authority, higher operational efficiency, and sustained increase in budget, the NFA could eventually buy up to 30% of the national harvest—enough to meaningfully influence farmgate prices and stabilize the market.
Tiu Laurel lamented that unscrupulous rice traders have taken advantage of the NFA's weakened mandate to shortchange farmers, sometimes offering to buy palay at below production cost.
He said the DA will also push for the restoration of the regulatory powers of the NFA to strengthen the its role in the rice sector by enabling it to help rein in excessive retail prices and protect consumers from market abuse.
The Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) has stripped the NFA's market intervention and regulatory powers, making it a buffer-stocking agency —limited to buying rice from local farmers for emergency use.
Before the RTL took effect in 2019 and its amended version this year, the NFA could import rice to augment supply, allowing it to maintain a healthier buffer stock and intervene when prices surged.
Under the amended RTL, the agency may only dispose of rice stocks through auction when the rice is aging (two to three months post-milling), during a declared food security emergency, or in the event of a calamity or emergency. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
8 hours ago
- GMA Network
Azcuna: Senate action insures impeachment raps cross from 19th to 20th congresses
'I therefore find the novel and unprecedented step as an adoption of a unique but allowable procedure to insure a proper crossover of the same Articles of Impeachment from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress,' Azcuna said. The Senate impeachment court's move to return to the House of Representatives the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte was a unique but allowable step that "insured" the raps crossing over from the 19th to 20th congresses, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna said on Wednesday. Azcuna issued the statement on Facebook after the impeachment court voted to return to the House of Representatives without dismissing or terminating the impeachent case until such time that: The House of Representatives certify to the non violation of Article XI, Section 3, paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which provides that 'No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within one year; include the circumstances on the filing of the first three impeachment complaints"; and The House of Representatives of the 20th Congress communicates to the Senate that it is willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint against the Vice President. "I first declined to comment as I find this as uncharted territory mainly for the reason that this never happened before. I then realized that this never happened before because this is the first time that an impeachment trial is caught between two Congresses and the case must cross over from one Congress to another. 'I therefore find the novel and unprecedented step as an adoption of a unique but allowable procedure to insure a proper crossover of the same Articles of Impeachment from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress,' he added. Azcuna was also a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution. It was he who drafted Article XI, which dealt with the accountability of public officers, including impeachable officials. "I also wrote the procedural Section including the word 'forthwith' referring to the need for the Senate to proceed to trial after the House itself adopts by one-third or more votes a resolution of impeachment which thereby constitutes the Articles of Impeachment such that 'trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed,' and it is precisely meant to mean immediately and without unreasonable delay or in the national language official version 'agad-agad'," Azcuna said. Eighteen senator-judges voted for the motion to return the articles of impeachment to the House. Five voted against it. The negative votes came from Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, and Sen. Nancy Binay. Those who voted yes include Escudero, Dela Rosa, Sen. Robin Padilla, Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Sen. Mark Villar, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. JV Ejercito, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Lito Lapid, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri. The House on Wednesday night adopted House Resolution No. 2346, certifying that the impeachment complied with the 1987 Constitution. The plenary, however, deferred the House's acceptance of the articles of impeachment while seeking a clarification from the Senate as regards its move. "The all-important element is that the impeachment court has acquired jurisdiction over the case and is still on course to proceed to trial and decision without undue delay after the crossover," Azcuna said. Likewise, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Domingo Cayosa does not see anything wrong with the Senate's action. 'There is no direct or clear violation naman kasi internal proseso na nila yan. What is important is it wont delay the trial which has happened,' he said in Joseph Morong's report in '24 Oras' on Wednesday. However, Christian Monsod, who also authored the 1987 Constitution alongside Azcuna, believes that the move from the Senate only derailed the impeachment proceedings. 'Yes. Kasi that's not part of their powers. Kasi if there is a constitutionality issue, that's the Supreme Court…These people have another agenda other than obeying the mandate of the Constitution. Kasi self-executory 'yung Constitution eh,' he said. 'Nakalimutan yata nila that they are senators because the people voted them as senators, so they are senators of the people. They are not senators of Vice President Sara Duterte. Dapat mag-inhibit themselves if they have any integrity,' Monsod added. For his part, University of the Philippines College of Law assistant professor Paolo Tamase agreed that the return of impeachment articles is unconstitutional. 'Dapat ma-offend yung House. Yung remand essentially seconds guesses yung House kung ano yung ginawa nya and puts the Senate higher. Co-equal sila, nirerespeto nila yung isa't isa,' he said. (The House has the right to be offended. The remand essentially second guesses the action of the House and puts the Senate in a higher status. They should be co-equal, respecting each other.) 'Hindi naman kinukwestiyon ng Senado pag ang House nagpapasa ng bills sa kanila, kung sinunod ba ng House yung proseso nila. So bakit kinukwestiyon ng Senado ngayon kung sinunod ng House yung proseso nila sa pagpapasa ng impeachment complaint,' Tamase also said. (The Senate does not question the House if there are bills referred to them or if the House followed their process. So why does the Senate now question the House if they followed the procedure in approving an impeachment complaint.) However, Senate President Francis Escudero, who presides over the impeachment court, said that both chambers of Congress are not co-equal when it comes to the impeachment trial. 'Hindi kami pantay sa bagay na ito [...] 'Di ito parang bicam na kailangan mag-agree. Ito ay kautusan galing sa impeachment court na nakatuon sa prosecutor na isa lamang partido sa kaso,' he said. (We are not on the same level when it comes to this matter [...] This is not like a bicam wherein we should both agree. This is an order from the impeachment court that implies that there is only one party to the case.) Further, Monsod said that the 20th Congress can continue working on the impeachment trial. 'It should continue. Because ang argument ni Tolentino is that there is no quorum because unlike in the United States, there's always a quorum. 'Pag 12 lang, hindi quorum. Mali siya, right? Sabi ko, the term of office niya at tsaka those who are leaving expires at noon of June 30. And at noon of June 30, starts the term of the newly elected. So there's never only 12." (It should continue. Because Tolentino's argument is that there is no quorum unlike in the United States that there's always a quorum. If there's only 12, there's no quorum. He's wrong on that part. His term and those who are leaving expires at noon of June 30 and by then, the term of the newly-elected senators starts. So there's never only 12.) –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- GMA Network
Departing senators deliver valedictories as Senate adjourns sine die
The Senate on Wednesday night adjourned sine die and formally closed its third regular session in the 19th Congress. Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero pounded the gavel at around 8:50 p.m. The 20th Congress will convene on July 28, on the day of the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. During the plenary session, the Senate adopted resolutions commending outgoing senators Senators Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., Nancy Binay, Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III, Francis Tolentino, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, and Jinggoy Estrada 'for their invaluable contribution and dedicated service to the Filipino people.' In her valedictory speech, Villar said that she entered the Senate 12 years ago with the intention 'to serve with integrity and use [her] knowledge to make a difference, especially to uplift the lives of those who need it most.' 'In this chamber, you fondly call me Mama Bear—a simple moniker, but one I took to heart," Villar said. To be Mama Bear meant being fiercely protective, genuinely caring, and always dependable. I saw it as a gesture of trust and respect, and a reminder to always show up, give my best, and look out for those around me,' she added. Villar was elected to two consecutive terms in the Senate in 2013 and 2019 'My term may be ending, but my commitment to public service remains. Hindi po natatapos ang paglilingkod sa pagtatapos ng termino. Sa halip, ito ay simula ng panibagong paraan ng makabuluhang ambag sa bayan,' she added. (My service does not stop with the end of my term. Rather, it is the beginning of a new chance to give meaningful contribution to the nation.) Poe, who became emotional while delivering her valedictory speech, paid tribute to her colleagues whom she worked with at the Senate for 12 years, as well as her family, including her late father, Fernando Poe Jr. 'Sa mga Pilipino, maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala. Salamat sa pagkakataong makapag-lingkod hindi lamang bilang inyong senador, kundi bilang inyong anak, ina, kapatid, at kaibigan,' Poe said. 'Maaring bumagsak na ang tabing sa yugtong ito ngunit ang kwento ko ay patuloy na isinsulat para sa pangako ko sa aking ama, kay FPJ, kay Susan, at sa milyong-milyon Pilipinong nagtiwala at naniwala sa akin. Bukas pa rin ang ating pahina. Baka naman may plot twist. Abangan ang susunod na kabata. Sabi nga ni FPJ, hindi pa tapos ang laban,' she added.. (The curtain may have fallen on this stage, but my story continues as promised to my father, FPJ, my mother, Susan, and to the millions of Filipinos who trusted and believed in me. My book is still open. There might be a plot twist. Stay tuned for the next chapter. As FPJ said, the fight is not over yet.) Revilla, who lost in his bid for a second consecutive term as senator after ranking 14th in the 2025 midterm elections, said public service was not attached to a position. 'It pains me to have faced defeat in the elections – not for the loss of title or position, but for the missed opportunity to continue the honor and privilege of being the voice of our people in this chamber,' Revilla said. 'Hindi ito wakas, kung hindi panibagong yugto – na saan man dalhin ng agos ng buhay, may posisyon man o wala, lagi akong titindig para sa bansa at taumbayan,' he added. (This is not the end, but a new journey – wherever life takes me, with or without a position, I will always stand up for the country and the people.) Binay, who is now mayor-elect of Makati City, also became emotional as she recalled her stint at the Senate. 'I entered this chamber twelve years ago under less than ideal circumstances. Winning a mandate to serve, but also with a target on my back. Dakilang alalay lang daw ako," Binay said. "Pinuna ang kulay ng balat ko, pati ang mga damit ko. Ginawang meme na viral sa social media. They say the Senate is like the stage, where every move is scrutinized under glaring light,' she added. 'I am grateful for all the criticism –both the deserved and uncalled for– which has made my skin thicker. We need thick skin in governance, not so we can remain callous to the people's pleas, but so that we can trudge forward and stay true to what we believe in, even when it is unpopular or against the dominant powers," Binay said. Meanwhile, Pimentel, who is the Senate Minority Leader, called on senators who will continue their term in the 20th Congress to work on measures that will elevate the plight of the people. 'May the laws you pass rescue the poor and helpless and deliver them from the grasp of evil people, as written in Psalm 82:4,' Pimentel said. Pimentel lost the congressional race for Marikina's first district to Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro. 'To the public of the Philippines, you entrusted me not only with your votes but with your hopes. I hope my service has honored that trust. Through this chamber, I remained your public servant in my capacity as a lawyer and as a concerned and involved citizen, advocating for federalism, and faster local development for a just and fair society, and preferential focus on the poor.' Tolentino, who also lost in the senatorial race, did not give a valedictory speech. The remaining senators who are set to enter the 20th Congress also honored their outgoing colleagues in the upper chamber. During his speech, Senate President Francis Escudero thanked the outgoing senators for their service, as well as the other employees of the Senate. 'Lahat ng panukalang batas, resolution, committee report na naipasa natin ay dahil sa tulong at pagpahintulot ng bawat isa sa atin," Escudero (All the bills, resolutions, and committee reports we have passed are due to the help and permission of each and every one of us.) "I look forward to working with you in government, in the Senate, and anywhere in the name and in the service of the Filipino people. Maraming salamat po sa inyo at sa ating lahat (Thank you, everyone)," he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- GMA Network
House defers accepting articles of impeachment; to seek Senate guidance
'We are certain and it is in the face of the impeachment complaint, that we are fully and strictly compliant with the requirements of the Constitution,' House prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro said in a briefing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The House of Representatives will defer the acceptance of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte while they are seeking clarification from the Senate impeachment court on its requests, a lawmaker said Wednesday. 'We will be seeking for clarification first and that's why we opted to defer receiving the orders,' Batangas Representative Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro said in a briefing. This comes after 18 senators on Tuesday voted for the return of the articles to the House. The senators are asking the House to certify the non-violation of the one-year ban on impeachment complaints and sought assurance from the 20th Congress that it is willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint. 'We are certain and it is in the face of the impeachment complaint, that we are fully and strictly compliant with the requirements of the Constitution,' Luistro said. 'Pangalawa [Second], they're asking for reconfirmation of the 20th Congress, whether it will pursue the impeachment complaint against the vice president. How can this order be complied [with] when the 20th Congress does not yet exist?' she later added. Aside from this, Luistro said they will seek clarification regarding a letter that is circulating on social media that the presentation of articles has been rendered moot. 'That is part of their own rules and we are ready to present the articles. Why suddenly, biglang rendered moot. No less than the rules of the impeachment of the Senate provides for the same,' she said. Luistro said that the House is not defying or disobeying the impeachment court. 'As soon as we are clarified about the issues surrounding the order of the Senate last night, for as long as they are within the bounds of the law, the prosecution panel will comply,' she said. The lawmakers also said that it is up to the Office of the Secretary General to receive the articles of impeachment. Luistro, meanwhile, earlier welcomed the service of the summons to Duterte, saying this means that the impeachment trial can no longer be stopped as the court has acquired jurisdiction over her. 'Finally, the people of the Philippines will see from the answer of the Vice President what her defenses are,' she said. 'Isa lamang po ang ibig sabihin nito. 'Yung pag-acquire po ng jurisdiction ng impeachment court sa ating respondent, kay Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, it only shows na tuloy na tuloy na ang impeachment trial,' she added. (This only means one thing. The impeachment court's acquisition of jurisdiction over our respondent, Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, only shows that the impeachment trial is definitely moving forward.) Confident? When asked about the possibility that the senators would retain their position following the trial, Luistro said the decision of the senators would be hard to preempt. 'Mahirap po isipin o sabihin na 'yung boto kahapon ay 'yun na rin ang magiging boto sa impeachment case sapagkat wala pa po ni isang ebidensyang naiilatag ang prosecution,' Luistro said. (It's difficult to assume or say that yesterday's vote will be the same vote in the impeachment case because not a single piece of evidence has been presented yet by the prosecution.) This was echoed by Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop, who said that he remains hopeful that the senator-judges will rule in their favor. 'You know why? During the Erap impeachment trial, they had the number. Pero bakit nag baliktad? Kasi nakita na 'yung ebidensya. As the gentle lady from Batangas said, wala pang naipre-presenta na ebidensya,' he said. (You know why? During the Erap impeachment trial, they had the number. But why did they change their votes? Because the evidence was revealed. As the gentlelady from Batangas said, not a single piece of evidence has been presented yet.) 'Siguro kapag nakita na ng mga tao at saka senator judges 'yung mga pieces evidence, baka magbago po ang isip nila,' he added. (Maybe once the people and the senator-judges see the pieces of evidence, their minds might change.) Those who voted yes include Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senators Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Francis Tolentino, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Ramon Revilla Jr., Joel Villanueva, Lito Lapid, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. The negative votes came from Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, and Senators Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Nancy Binay. — BM, GMA Integrated News
