The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today accused First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the prime beneficiaries of the rice trade liberalization and importation policies of the government.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, in his first exposé titled “The Incredible Hulk”, mentioned and implicated Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante as one of those who frequently goes to the LTA building alone or in the company of Kishore Hemlani.

KMP secretary general Danilo Ramos adding that, “We’ve already heard of Hemlani last March this year. Hemlani was accused of being behind the importation of infested rice that the government procured last year for more than P9 billion.” 

The peasant group said Hemlani is “a previously blacklisted rice importer who have made a comeback if not for his connection with the First Gentleman.”

Ramos described Hemlani as “a close friend and associate of the First Couple who is well-known for “cornering” rice importation transactions by the government.” 

“It appears that Hemlani only serves as a dummy and that the First Couple are the ones who really “corners” the biggest rice importation transactions and are the prime beneficiaries of the policy of rice trade liberalization and importation. This only shows how bureaucrat capitalism operates under the US-directed Macapagal-Arroyo regime,” Ramos stressed.

The peasant leader noted that, “the Macapagal-Arroyo government’s policy of rice trade liberalization and importation in accordance with the dictates of the World Trade Organization (WTO) led to the further destruction of Philippine agriculture and the marginalization of Filipino farmers.” 

“WTO dictated policies serves as a floodgate for “Jose Pidal-type” rice syndicates to proliferate. The LTA building is no less than a bastion of rice syndicates and rice smugglers,” Ramos said. 

The KMP feared that “rice importations are made in collaboration with the National Food Authority with Agriculture Secretary (Luis) Lorenzo and Undersecretary Bolante calling the shots in favor of the First Couple.” 

The KMP dared Congress to immediately take necessary actions against the First Couple, agriculture officials and Hemlani, who is deemed “untouchable” by the Macapagal-Arroyo government. #

KMP - 3 September 2003