Former President Rodrigo Duterte voiced concern over the soaring price of rice during the proclamation rally of his party PDP-Laban’s senatorial candidates at Club Filipino in San Juan on Thursday.
Duterte, who chairs PDP-Laban, once again took aim at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., insinuating that the latter was unfit to control inflation, particularly in food prices.
“Tulad nitong bigas, which is really, tumatama sa tiyan at puso ng Pilipino. Hindi niya nakuha ‘yung pinaka, either i-subsidize o ano, whatever… It goes on up and up and mahirapan po ang Pilipino to cope up,” Duterte said.
He further emphasized the urgency of addressing food costs. “Mukhang hindi niya kaya na habulin ang presyo. ‘Yan na lang sa pagkain, wag na ‘yung iba… Pero ‘yung immediate, urgent need to solve is really itong presyo or the price of rice,” he added.
The former President also led the endorsement of nine senatorial candidates under PDP-Laban, including Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Bong Go, Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, and actor Philip Salvador. The slate also includes Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who was represented by his lawyer due to his current detention at Pasig City Jail.
Duterte expressed confidence in the party’s candidates, believing Filipinos were growing frustrated with unmet promises, particularly on economic issues. During his 2022 campaign, Marcos vowed to bring down rice prices, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture declared a food security emergency, aiming to stabilize rice prices. Marcos stated the move was meant “to force the price down” after exhausting other measures.
Aside from economic concerns, Duterte once again accused Marcos of drug use, a claim he initially retracted last year. “Alam mo kung ako ang durugista, at bakit, sa utak ko, bakit hindi? Total kasama ko naman si Presidente sa hithitan,” he remarked, further alleging that Marcos’ supposed long-term drug use would affect his health.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has denied Duterte’s claims, clarifying that Marcos has never been on its drug watch list.
In response, Marcos previously dismissed Duterte’s accusations, suggesting that his predecessor’s statements may be influenced by long-term fentanyl use. “It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects. And PRRD has been taking the drug for a very long time now,” Marcos said last year.
Amid the ongoing political tension, Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte filed a bill last year advocating mandatory random drug testing for elected and appointed officials, a move supported by Vice President Sara Duterte.
