Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was in Bacolod City for a Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation event, discussed the ongoing issues with the local sugar industry at a press conference yesterday, where he said the industry faces a “bigger fight” against multinational corporations in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

He noted, however, based on information from the Department of Finance, big corporations are set to discuss the tax disparity between domestic sugar and imported artificial sweeteners, like high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), with the WTO.

Zubiri also suggested the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines study and hire the best global trade lawyers in order to fight for the local sugar industry.

“We are looking at five million people directly and indirectly involved,” the senator said during an earlier speech before Congress regarding the imposition of excise taxes on artificial sweeteners./DGB, WDJ.