By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After claiming success against Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, with the company vowing to utilize local sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) said Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. is their next target.
According to United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (USPFP) President Manuel Lamata, Coca-Cola will purchase one million bags of sugar and another two million once the new crop year begins.
“We are done with the issue with Coke,” he said. However, Lamata said the boycott against Coca-Cola remains in place until “the company sticks to its word on using local sugar.”
The USPFP chief went on to announce their next target, saying, “[Pepsi] is not innocent, and they are clearly also using HFCS.”
The claim, however, contradicts statements by acting Provincial Administrator Lucille Gelvolea, who pointed out back in April, during this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, that Pepsi submitted certification indicating they do not use HFCS in their products.
Lamata noted, while they do not have exact numbers, “Pepsi is the second biggest user of HFCS.”
He also said, following the protest against Coca-Cola last March, which he claims “served as a warning,” Pepsi should have called a meeting with local stakeholders.
Lamata issued an ultimatum, “Buy local sugar immediately or face a boycott of all their products.”
“If they do not sit down and talk with the alliance, yes we will also stage a massive protest against them,” he warned./WDJ