INVESTIGATE BANAYO FOR RICE IMPORT!

National Food Authority (NFA) head Lito Banayo should be investigated for his PERSISTENCE in importing an additional 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.

First and foremost, no less than Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala himself CATEGORICALLY DECLARED that it was UNNECESSARY TO IMPORT more rice to boost the 860,000 metric tons buffer stock requirement for this year.

Alcala even called for a REVIEW of Banayo’s proposed importation when the NFA Council meets next week, stressing that it was NOT the Government’s stands on the issue.  

Meaning, Banayo’s planned importation is ONLY OF HIS OWN VOLITION.

Alcala emphasized that the first semester harvest could hit 7.6 million metric tons, a 15-percent increase from the palay production in the same period last year.

So the million-dollar question now is WHY is Banayo INSISTING ON IMPORTING an additional 300,000 MT of rice? As Agriculture secretary, Alcala is THE AUTHORITY, THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, for rice production, NOT BANAYO.

Banayo says the 300,000 MT of rice will boost buffer stocks when the typhoons and the lean months kick in starting July.

But he COULD NOT EXPLAIN this IN DETAIL, or reconcile this with Alcala’s assurance that THERE IS NO NEED for additional rice importations.

In effect, Banayo is saying that the higher-than-expected harvest and pre-set buffer stocks ARE NOT ENOUGH. But he COULD NOT CITE OR PRODUCE any PROOF, like statistics and studies.

Banayo says  the price of commercial rice could increase by as much as P2 this year. But HE COULD NOT CITE any computation or study on how he arrived at the amount.

Banayo says rice traders who participated in the NFA’s private sector-importation program were spending more due to higher service fees.

But he could not say how much more, and how or why will this trigger price increases considering the SUFFICIENCY in HARVEST and BUFFER STOCKS declared by Alcala FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

If all these do not still warrant a probe of Banayo, something’s SERIOIUSLY WRONG with the Government.

                                                                        ***

Three of our friends on “Public being deceived in ‘Willing Willie’ controversy”:

LAOVENDIL JOMA

The public is deceived on all issues, and they enjoy it, especially if it’s about showbiz and politics. It’s smokescreen after smokescreen to cover up for new scandals, stupidities etc.

CESAR ARELLANO of Chicago, Illinois, USA

There is such a thing as child abuse and also lewd impersonation by an  underage. Willie was in all categories, being the host.

AGUSTIN 'JUN' PANTI of Majuro, the Marshal Islands in the Pacific Ocean

It’s not about Willie but the laughing crowd, clapping and shouting while egging on the small boy to do something inappropriate...doon lang po ako kinilabutan. That made me think hard.

VICKY BINTOR SALIBAD of London, United Kingdom on Tita Cacayan

God says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." The sins you commit will come back to haunt you one day...for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The sins you commit will come back to haunt you one day.

MANNY SD LOPEZ of Los Angeles, California, USA on Meralco

Comparatively, Meralco distribution rates are among the highest in the world.

Three of our friends on “Include Kris, ABS-CBN in Jan-Jan probe”:

MERIT SALUD of Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

Bakit hinde? Otherwise, selective ang application ng law sa term ni Pnoy. In that case, it is oppressive.

SUSAN CANO  of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Tama mga kapatid dahil nga sa show ni Willie nawiwili ang mga tao lalo na ang mga mahihirap so hindi na mapupuna ang mga malalaking issue sa lipunan.

REBECCA KOOMANS of  Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Korek  30