MANILA, Philippines — Heads must roll at the Department of Agriculture (DA) once proven that a kickback scheme in pork importation is behind the agency’s push for lower pork tariff rates and higher import volumes, industry groups said.
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) and the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) issued on Tuesday scathing remarks urging both chambers of Congress to look into Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s allegation of a racket within the DA that would bring in as much as P6 billion in “tongpats” or kickbacks once the twin proposals are approved by President Duterte.
The DA is pushing to slash pork tariffs to as low as 5 percent from a high of 40 percent…
Keep on reading: Heads must roll at DA once ‘tongpats’ charge in pork imports is proven — agri groups