Senators welcome appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as DA chief

Senators on Friday welcomed the appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as secretary of the Department of Agriculture, an agency concurrently led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for more than a year.

"I welcome the appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel as the new Secretary of the Department of Agriculture," Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said in a statement.

Zubiri vouched for Laurel's managerial experience and common touch to lead "what is perhaps the most important agency in the country today."

"I am glad that the president personally headed the Department of Agriculture for a time, and instituted a whole-of-government approach in implementing important reforms in the agricultural sector that strengthened our food security," he said.

"But it is also right that the DA now be helmed by a new Secretary who can be devoted to the agriculture sector, and not have to juggle it with other national concerns," he added.

He continued: "And now that the baton has been passed on to Secretary Laurel, I wish him well in all his endeavors."

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito also welcomed the appointment of Laurel, a tycoon known for leading the Frabelle Fishing Corporation.

"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," Ejercito said in a separate statement.

"But I am hopeful since he is already an established and a very successful businessman a billionaire, and trusted by PBBM, that he might just be the right person to fix the problems of the Department of Importation este Agriculture!" he added.

For Senator Grace Poe, the new DA chief must have the focus, and fortitude to get things done with the gargantuan tasks on his shoulders.

Poe said that Laurel should also have a "genuine feeling" for the agricultural sector.

"Agriculture is a vital component of the economy, providing food on the table and sustaining the livelihood of millions," she said.

"Yet, it has been on a steady decline as a contributor to growth and employment generation," she added.

She continued: "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 also underscored the need for long-term programs to improve agricultural outputs and to protect the welfare of farmers.

"Our hardworking farmers and fishers who bring food to the table must not go hungry and must not remain poor," she said.

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero also expressed his confidence in Marcos Jr.'s chosen Agriculture chief.

"I commend PBBM for finally choosing a full-time Secretary in Agriculture. His choice has extensive exposure and knowledge in fishing and agriculture," Escudero said.

"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," he added.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, likewise, commended the president for finally appointing a full-time DA chief.

"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," he said.

Pimentel said the new DA chief must be given a chance to prove himself worthy for the position that had been headless for more than a year.

"Now, if the question is if Mr. Tiu Laurel is a good choice for DA Sec, let us give him time to prove himself," he said.

"Given Mr. Laurel's success as a businessman in the fishing sector, then that may be evidence of his knowledge of some agriculture issues," he added.

The Senate minority leader, however, reminded the new DA chief of the constitutional requirement for divestment from the business interests of cabinet members.

"That would be a great sacrifice for him and I wish him all the best," he stressed.

In a separate statement, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros also welcomed the appointment of Laurel as the new DA chief.

"I am hoping that, with his appointment, long-standing issues affecting our farmers, fisherfolk, as well as the rest of the agricultural sectors, will finally be addressed," Hontiveros said.

"These include stabilizing the prices of agricultural commodities, improving the productivity and incomes of our farmers and fisherfolk, and confronting the cartels that have become deeply entrenched in the sector," she added.

Hontiveros said these problems hounding the country's agricultural sector are "complex and compounding and need immediate action."

Considering Laurel's background, the senator acknowledged "murmurs of conflict of interest" on the former's appointment.

"Our commercial fishing fleets have recently resisted the efforts of the DA to monitor and regulate their operations," she said.

"I firmly believe that the government's commitment to food security and environmental protection should not be compromised for corporate and oligarchic interests," she added.

Hontiveros said she will await Tiu-Laurel's answer to these issues when he faces the Commission on Appointments.

"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 fisher-folk discussed," she said.