By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol fired back at critics, yesterday, following the massive protest by various sugar stakeholders over Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines’ use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
In a message sent yesterday by Piñol, he said he is not against the decision of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to release Sugar Order No.3 (SO3), which classified HFCS as a “Class C” or reserve sugar. However, he explained, he recommended to temporarily stop the order, pending the resolution of issues raised by Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola, which are legitimate businesses operating in the Philippines.
“I believe that if things could be worked out, the sugar industry could get a bigger share of the sugar requirements of both Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola, thus getting a better deal,” Piñol said.
The agriculture secretary also blamed former President Benigno S. Aquino III for allowing the use of HFCS and accused sugar planters of “acting like spoiled brats” for accusing him of being anti-farmer and for seeking a win-win solution to the problem, which was created by the previous administration.
He lambasted those who claimed he was being bribed by the beverage companies to suspend the order, calling him “Money Piñol.”
“By the way, you are accusing me of oppressing sugar workers and stakeholders? May I just ask how much are you paying your sugarcane workers daily? Is it P80 or P100 per day?” he questioned.
Piñol also took aim at Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., who supported the protest and called for a ban of Coca-Cola products at the upcoming Panaad Festival, calling him an “old hand in playing the game of popular politics.”
On Monday, around 5,000 protesters showed up at a rally outside the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Barangay Mansilingan, demonstrating against the importation of HFCS.
At the end of the program, demonstrators also burned down an effigy of Piñol and Coca-Cola as a sign of their protest./WDJ