United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) President Manuel Lamata yesterday slammed Senator Franklin Drilon after the latter supported a reduction to the excise tax on artificial sweeteners, which include high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

“He is a traitor to the sugar industry,” the Unifed president declared.

The tax reduction, proposed by Senator Ralph Recto last month, failed in a narrow 8-7 Senate vote.

According to Lamata, when Drilon first ran for Senate, he asked for the support of the sugar industry. He added, the industry has supported him ever since, making him the top senator in Negros Occidental.

Lamata went on to call last month’s vote “crucial” for the sugar industry./DGB, WDJ