Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday strongly denied the accusations made by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co regarding alleged irregularities in tariff matters, calling the claims baseless and fabricated.
“Total baloney. A script na [puwedeng] pang-Netflix. ’Yan ang statement ko,” Laurel said in his official statement issued on November 26.
He also clarified Co’s claim that he alone pushed for lowering the tariff.
“Ang totoo lang na sinabi n’ya is pinag-usapan naming ibaba ang tariff. And it is not true that he suggested it alone; marami na [ang] nag-suggest. Ang recommendation niya, actually, was zero tariff, not 15 [%],” Laurel added.
The DA chief stressed that the accusations against him have no basis and that he did not manipulate any recommendation related to tariff adjustments.
Tensions continue to rise between Laurel and Co as concerned agencies await the next steps in the dispute.