The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Ako bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co certainly knew how to use his position, as chair of the House Appropriations Committee, to his utmost advantage.
Not only does he figure in the flood control mess that has shaken the country to the core, but he was also responsible for advancing his own fishing companies, by twisting the arm of the Department of Agriculture to issue fish import allocations for three firms, apparently his or his family’s.
At the budget hearing of the Department of Agriculture last Monday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stunned the legislators with his revelation that Co pressured him to issue fish import allocations to companies he nominated, one of which carried his initials ZC Victory Fishing Corp.
Laurel said he flatly denied the request because of the massive volume of fish containers– which would obviously unfairly compete with the local catch market.
“We were being forced at that time to give him (Rep. Zaldy Co) 3,000 containers of fish which I did not agree. Pinipilit niya kami mag-issue ng import permit while we already have a formula. Which, ito na nga iyong formula na lumabas and it is very clear na fair ito scientifically, the data speaks for itself. At kaya kong tindigan ito,” he said.
He added that Co endorsed three companies for the import permits but was turned down.
“I only have personal knowledge on the three companies he wanted me to give allocation kahit na may formula na kami. Hindi ako pumayag magbigay ng kahit isang container sa tatlong nominated companies niya. At ang isang kumpanya doon, pangalan pa, ZC Victory Fishing Corporation,” Laurel said.
He emphasized that no permits were issued despite Co’s insistence.
Firm linked to Tiangco is top importer
The Trans Pacific Journey Fishing Corp., a firm headed and owned by the family of Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, was confirmed by Laurel as one of the biggest importers of galunggong in the country. Tiangco is a member of the committees on: appropriations, information and communications technology and aquaculture and fisheries. (He not only twisted DA’s arm for his membership in the appropriations committee but also in the aquaculture and fisheries committee).