By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Reports have surfaced suggesting several local groups are planning to protest Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines over their use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
In a Facebook post by a certain Nic Led, he said, “The only language Coke understands is a boycott,” adding it would show the company how serious they are.
He said a protest is planned for Monday and they will also be targeting Pepsi Philippines.
Led also lauded Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head Anna Rosario Paner for standing up to the beverage companies, who have been using HFCS instead of domestic sugar.
Earlier this week, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 denied the request by Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines for a temporary restraining order (TRO) over Sugar Order No. 3 issued by the SRA.
The order classifies HFCS as a “Class C” sugar or reserve sugar. Under the classification, HFCS can only be used by beverage and food manufacturing companies whenever there is a shortage of domestic sugar.
Coca-Cola filed a civil case in response, last week, against Paner, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, and Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon asking to nullify the order.
Aside from the TRO, the company also filed a writ of preliminary injunction, which is scheduled to be heard on March 20./WDJ