“Tatak Kalamay,” a multi-sector group based in Negros Occidental composed of sugar industry stakeholders, has reaffirmed support for their “Magic 8” list of senatorial candidates amid criticisms in social media.
The group, primarily led by Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Member Emilio Yulo III and Confederation of Sugar Producers spokesperson Raymond Montinola, acknowledged that they have “come under attack” for the groups’s choice but nevertheless has defended the move.
“Our common agenda is the survival of the sugar industry and we hope we accord respect to the choice of others aside from our own. ‘Tatak Kalamay’ believes that the best way of expressing this is through the ballot,” the group’s statement said.
The group pointed out that while they “welcome a healthy and constructive discourse, the posts have been downright offensive and undoubtedly has no place in this democratic exercise.”
“Kalamay” is the Hiligaynon word for sugar, and “Tatak Kalamay” refers to “all about sugar.”
During the launch on March 23, the movement endorsed two personal candidates of President Rodrigo Duterte. Endorsed were former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go and former Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa, as well as reelectionists Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Koko Pimentel, and Cynthia Villar.
The group later added former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino to its list of endorsed senatorial bets.
Pimentel, Go, De la Rosa and Tolentino are official candidates of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
“We chose our slate based on the track record of support our senatorial candidates have shown for the sugar industry and validated by our own industry champion, Sen. Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri,” the group said.
“We chose our slate based on the track record of support our senatorial candidates have shown for the sugar industry.”
The industry’s battle included those involving the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) issue, the sugar sweetened beverage taxes, and the impending threat of import liberalization.
“Senator Zubiri himself expressed the fact that alone, he cannot do much and as such, he needs our help to ensure he gets the necessary support in the Senate among his colleagues for him to continue championing our causes,” the group added.
“Tatak Kalamay” said that in the various challenges the industry had faced, Angara, Binay, Ejercito, Pimentel and Villar were with Zubiri.
Although the group admitted that while Go, De la Rosa and Tolentino do not have legislative experience, they have assured the local sugar industry of their support, if elected.
“This is something many of the frontrunners have not done. Thus, we choose to believe them,” the group added.
“We choose to believe them.”
“Tatak Kalamay” added the support of the Senate is the most important defense the sugar industry has and may well be its last stand.
Considering that five million Filipinos depend on the sugar industry, they chose to support and help ensure the victory of these eight industry champions, they added.
