VICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday slammed the Department of Agriculture’s plan to roll out rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas, labeling it a political maneuver ahead of the 2025 elections.
Duterte questioned the timing and sincerity of the initiative, calling it an attempt to “fool the people” once again with empty promises.
In an ambush interview, Duterte said that the program—touted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. since his 2022 campaign—has remained unfulfilled because those behind it “never knew how to implement it in the first place.”
She further alleged that the promise was made despite knowing it was unrealistic.
“Well, hindi ko alam kung anong motibo nila. Baka, yes, inaano na nila ang mga tao, binubudol na naman nila ‘yung mga tao sa P20 per kilo na bigas,” Sara Duterte said.
“Now they’re bringing it back to help their senatorial slate win,” she said, warning that the rice sold might be of low quality, possibly even unfit for human consumption.
“Filipinos are not animals,” she stressed.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced earlier that rice priced at P20 per kilo would be sold in the Visayas as a pilot program, with expansion planned nationwide once logistics are addressed.
Still, Duterte remained skeptical, implying the program is targeted at regions where the administration may be losing voter support.
