Imee: You’re in trouble with Apo Lakay!

MANILA – Senator Imee R. Marcos joined more than 1000 rallyists in front of the Department of Finance (DOF) office Tuesday, September 26.

The senator brought food and water as a show of support for those opposing DOF’s proposed tariff reduction on imported rice.

The Department of Finance is planning to reduce the current 35% tariff on imported rice to 10% up to 0% temporarily to address the surging price of rice in the market.

Senator Marcos is not in favor of DOF’s plan to continue with the importation of rice in the midst of harvest season starting this last week of September until October.

“Hindi papayag si BongBong dito. Sigurado ako diyan dahil lagot tayo sa tatay ko. Talaga naman, sigurado ako diyan.”

(“BongBong won’t allow this. I’m sure of it because we’ll be in trouble with our father. Really, I’m sure of it.”)

The Super Ate (Big sister) ng Pangulo is confident that her brother, President Bongbong Marcos, will not allow this move by the DOF.

According to Senator Marcos, Apo Lakay had a mystical and powerful notion of rice.

“Para sa aking ama, ang bigas ay talagang hindi lamang pagkain. Para sa kanya, pagkatao. Unang-una, pagkatao ‘pagkat walang dignidad ang kumakalam ang tiyan. Ikalawa, pagmamahal – dahil ang pagiging Kristyano ay manggagaling sa pagmamahal sa kapwa na pinapakain at hindi ginugutom. Ikatlo, ang bigas ay kalayaan. Kalayaan dahil walang demokrasya ng gutom,” the senator added.

(“For my father, rice is not just food. For him, it’s identity. First and foremost, identity when a hungry stomach has no dignity. Secondly, love – because being a Christian stems from loving others by feeding them and not letting them go hungry. Thirdly, rice is freedom. Freedom because there is no democracy in hunger.”)

The senator’s message to those in favor of rice importation during harvest season, “Lagot kayo! Mumultuhin kayo ni Apo Lakay!”

(“You’re in trouble! Apo Lakay will haunt you!”)