By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The sugar industry scored a partial victory, yesterday, after beverage giant Coca- Cola FEMSA withdrew their injunction case filed against key government officials of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Lawyer Mark Kok, representative of Coke, during yesterday’s congressional inquiry on HFCS said the company has already ordered its lawyers to withdraw the case in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
The spokesperson of the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP), Emilio Yulo III, said for now there is no threat to the constitutionality of Sugar Order No. 3, which was earlier issued by the SRA to control the entry of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in the country.
He further expressed optimism that sugar prices for the next crop year will improve from the current P1,200 per Lkg.
“This is a confidence building measure in our search for a win-win solution,” Yulo pointed out, adding SAP supports proposals to impose an excise tax on imported HFCS.
Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. (2nd District, PDP-Laban) and his wife Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, PDP-Laban) are proposing a bill to levy excise tax on the importation of HFCS. The Mindanao solon said his proposal will help the sugar industry.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd District, PDP Laban) said he hopes the multinational company will follow what it verbalized during the Senate and House hearings./WDJ