Abbey M.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) has raised alarm over the intense pressure facing Filipino farmers and fishermen, warning that a possible food supply shortage may hit the country in the coming months if no immediate policy reforms are made.

According to the group, many farmers are now considering not planting in the next cropping season due to heavy losses, a development that could directly affect the country's food production.

SINAG attributed the worsening condition of the agriculture sector to the influx of imports and the rising cost of production, which it said are weakening Philippine agriculture as a whole.

For rice and corn, farmgate prices continue to drop because of the volume of imports, while farming expenses have reached no less than P30,000 per hectare. The widening gap between costs and earnings has pushed many farmers to consider holding off on planting altogether — a move that could lead to a shortfall in supply if left unaddressed.

In the fisheries sector, the group said small fisherfolk have been hit hard after large commercial vessels were allowed to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters. The development has reduced their catch and income, further straining an already struggling sector.

On the other hand, SINAG noted that livestock and poultry are facing an oversupply problem due to massive importation. Pork imports have reached 891 million kilos, while chicken imports have exceeded 541 million kilos.

In the past seven months, farmgate prices particularly for chicken, have fallen below production costs, leaving local producers with continuous losses.

The group lamented that the government has yet to recognize the real situation on the ground, despite figures reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

SINAG stressed that without immediate action on existing policies, the current oversupply may eventually give way to a shortage, with local food production unable to keep up with demand in the months ahead.

Vice President Sara Duterte assured members of the House of Representatives that they have nothing to fear in voting on the impeachment complaint against her, urging them to base their decision on the evidence presented rather than on concerns of political retaliation.

The vice president made the statement in response to circulating reports that some congressmen critical of her would vote in favor of the impeachment out of fear that she would go after them should she survive the complaint.

She maintained that she has never been a vindictive politician and that, if she were in their position, she would weigh the merits of the case rather than the personality involved.

"Unang-una, matagal na ako sa politika. Hindi ako kilalang tao na, or politiko na vindictive. Alam 'yan ng mga taga-Davao. Nagkaroon din ako ng mabigat na kalaban noon si Speaker Nograles. Pero hindi ako kilala na isang vindictive na tao. Tapos pangalawa, pag ako congressman, hindi ako titingin sa kung vindictive ba o hindi 'yung isang tao. Titingin ako sa ebidensya. Meron bang ebidensya o wala? Wala naman. Nung finile 'yung complaint, walang ebidensya at all 'yung nakalagay doon. Lahat 'yun parang, ano man tawag nung abugado sa kanila? Parang, kung baga allegations lang lahat. Nothing to support the allegations. So 'yun 'yung dapat na tinitingnan nila. May basehan ba ito o wala?" Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(First of all, I have been in politics for a long time. I am not known as a vindictive person or politician. The people of Davao know that. I also had a tough rival before in Speaker Nograles, but I am not known as a vindictive person. Second, if I were a congressman, I would not look at whether a person is vindictive or not. I would look at the evidence. Is there evidence or none? There is none. When the complaint was filed, there was no evidence at all included there. Everything was — what do the lawyers call it? — just allegations. Nothing to support the allegations. So that is what they should be looking at. Does this have basis or not?)

The Vice President also addressed concerns from lawmakers that their districts might not receive budget allocations should they refuse to support efforts to remove her from office, saying there is no money left in the first place.

"Zero na talaga. Wala ng pera. Uy! Merong impeachment o wala, wala ng pera na pwedeng ibigay. Pag binigay pa 'yan nila ang pang-MOOE sa mga congressman, hindi na magfu-function ang gobyerno." Vice President Sara Duterte said.

(It is really zero. There is no more money. Whether there is an impeachment or not, there is no money left to give. If they still give the MOOE [Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses] to the congressmen, the government will no longer function.)

The number of unemployed Filipinos slightly decreased in March compared to February, based on new data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The unemployment rate in March stood at 5%, down from 5.1% recorded in February.

However, despite the marginal decline, the figure remains higher than the 3.9% unemployment rate posted during the same period last year.

‍

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has asserted that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) should not be blamed for the sudden spike in electricity bills.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the bill shock experienced by consumers was caused by MERALCO's generation cost itself.

"Fake news si Meralco. Hindi 4Ps ang rason bakit sumipa ang mga bill natin, kundi Meralco mismo. 'Yong bill shock na 'yon ay galing sa sarili nilang generation," Gatchalian said. 

(MERALCO is spreading fake news. 4Ps is not the reason our bills shot up — MERALCO itself is. That bill shock came from their own generation.)

He added that less than half a centavo goes to the lifeline rate subsidy allocated for the 4Ps members' discount.

‍

The Philippine National Police ranked among the most trusted institutions by Filipinos, based on the latest survey conducted by OCTA Research.

The PNP recorded a 63% trust rating and a 61% satisfaction rating in the first quarter of 2026.

The PNP expressed gratitude for the continued trust and confidence of the Filipino people.

It also pledged to further improve its performance to maintain peace and order and protect communities.

‍