

Philippines: Foundation for Economic Freedom, INC. – FEF Statement on Taming Sugar Prices and Inflation (16.08.2022)







This week has been terrible for the President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. who has been caught into a web of scandal. This is involving the second office his holding, which is as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. That Marcos Jr. decided to be both the Head of State and the Minister of Agriculture has already backfired. Because, his now parts of or given powers to someone underneath him, which happens to be the Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture.
This week has proven that the President shouldn’t hold two offices at the same time, but would be better to have appointed a trusted a fellow to run it. Since, the mismanagement has come this quickly. It didn’t take longer to a scandal rocking him and now the turns of trying to shift the blames start.
We know today that the Undersecretary has resigned and apologised for the Sugar Order Volume 4, but the investigation is just launched. Therefore, the whole entirety will unfold. The signatures and the whole deal. As it started to it finished. We can really wonder what went down between the release of the Sugar Order Vol. 4 and the Meeting which the President presided over. That was only 8 days between and something has to be said there. They don’t just order 300,000 metric tons of sugar on a whim. There is some sort of planning, before execution and making the measures in the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
That’s why I have made this time of what has dripped out so far…
On the 15th July 2022 Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez on behalf of the President sent out a Memorandum giving Undersecretary of Agriculture, Leocardio S. Sebastian vast power within the Department of Agriculture. Not only the as the Chief of Staff of the Department, but many other powers invested in him. That Memorandum was from the Executive Secretary of the Office of the President and gave the Undersecretary his clear role.
1st August 2022:
“NEWS UPDATE: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presides a meeting as the secretary of the Department of Agriculture to discuss the course of actions that the department will take for the sugar and coconut industry” (PTVph, 01.08.2022).
9th August 2022:
The Sugar Regulatory Administration published Sugar Order Volume 4: “Second Sugar Import Program for Crop Year 2021-2022, which states the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The sugar was supposed to designated partly half of it to industrial users and the other half to the traders.
11th August 2022:
Undersecretary of Agriculture Leocardio S. Sebastian sends his resignation letter to President Marcos Jr. and apologises for the Sugar Order Volume 4. While also resigning from the post, which he only was appointed to in July.
12th August 2022:
““Heads are going to roll” following an investigation over the supposed “unauthorized” signing of a document directing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles emphasized on Thursday. “An investigation is ongoing to determine whether any act that would cause the President to lose trust and confidence in his officials can be found or if there is malice or negligence involved. In such a case, if such findings are made, then the only determination left will be how many heads are going to roll,” Cruz-Angeles said in a press briefing. Angeles described as “illegal” Sugar Order No. 4 issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, which supposedly directs the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. “The Chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board is President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. As such, the chairman sets the date of any meetings or convening of the Sugar Regulatory Board and its agenda. No such meeting was authorized by the President or such a resolution likewise, was not authorized,” said Cruz-Angeles” (Alaine Allanigue – ‘Heads to roll over ‘unauthorized’ importation of 300,000 MT of sugar’ 12.08.2022, Philippine Information Agency – PIA).
We don’t know yet the whole scope of this, but the things are twisted together. There are missing pieces and more has to be unleashed on the masses. This here sugar scandal came early. It was only barely month after the Executive Secretary wrote the memorandum giving the Undersecretary vast powers to the Sugar purchase or imports was in order. That is saying something and the President has also signed on the Sugar Order Vol. 4. So, he had to knew and cannot act totally oblivious. The man cannot be that docile and not know what is going on in his department. That is something I have a hard time to believe.
Time will tell, but what we do know is that all sugar isn’t sweet. Certainly Marcos Jr. should be more careful ahead and he should reconsider the ability to both be the head of state and a secretary over a Department. Yes, he wants to do so show that he cares and priorities the sector. However, it would be better to craft legislation and policy changes as President. Than trying to control this, as well, as being the President. That seems to much to ask…
The investigation will now buy everyone time, but the truth will come out. This happen in such a short window and early in the administration. So, it is not like everyone has settled in or gotten used to the new offices. Therefore, this should be brief and quick. As parts of the paperwork is already online. The President can also be implicated, because he sat in the meeting on the 1st August and on the 9th August the Sugar Order Vol. 4 was published. An inquiry will even dig deeper and things tend to connect together. Peace.





“The Philippines has no intention of rejoining the ICC” – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr (01.08.2022).
The Philippines President was only sworn-in on the 30th June 2022 and we are now in the start of August 2022. President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Junior is already hit with controversy. A sort of affair he could have avoided and made disappear. However, he instead wants to show force and continue where his predecessor left off. That makes it easier for him and less obstacles, if he needs to use military means or violent aggression against “targeted groups” within the republic.
Duterte revoked the Rome Statute:
“The Philippines ’ withdrawal from the ICC, already took effect on March 17, 2019, exactly a year after Duterte revoked the Rome Statute, a treaty that created the international court. The country severed ties from the ICC after its special prosecutor Fatou Bensouda started a preliminary examination on the alleged human rights violations under the administration’s anti-drug war” (Azer Parrocha – ‘PRRD upheld PH sovereignty by withdrawing from ICC: Andanar’ 17.03.2021).
So, the Philippines has only been over 3 years outside the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Philippines is following a small or marginalized group of nations who isn’t part of it. That’s saying a lot about the values and the wills of the government in Manilla. I’m not shocked, but expected this by Marcos Jr. as his not the sort of fella who wants oversight or anyone look into his deeds. That’s the sort of thing ICC does and it could be a bad look.
What is striking however… is that the same man as a then Senator signed off on a Resolution to ratify the Rome Statute in 2011. it is the same man that is no accepting and continuing the path of not being part of the ICC. That is saying something and shows what sort of man he is. Because, he signed off and wanted it to happen in 2011.
Now in 2022 the game is different and the office is also very appealing. The President wants to look strong and spread his vision. That’s very clear here and its obvious why. In 2011 he wanted to signal and show that he was a changed man. That he possibly wasn’t like his father and wanted the nation to be changed for the better. Now in office, he don’t want investigators or independent bodies to undermine his authority. He wants to reign supreme and have a say in what’s going on. His allies and the political elite his a part of. Cannot bare the burden of burying or double-crossing the ones who helped him to office.
That’s why Marcos Jr. cannot issue a resolution or a motion, even executive order to get the Philippines to sign and ratify the Rome Statue into Philippines Law. The ones that are in dire shock and feel in disbelief haven’t followed the Malacañang politicking or how the Philippines government have operated of late. Marcos Jr. isn’t revolutionizing things, but instead following the line or policies of Duterte. No one should be surprised here.
Marcos Jr. want to seem like a big-man and a strong leader. He needs to show force and resilience. If not he will be mocked and be ridiculed. An easy of getting ahead is to use foreign interference and block foreign entities from acting on Filipino soil. That’s what his doing with the ICC and will possibly do with others.
Even if he did in his SONA speech said this:
“We will be a good neighbor – always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes. If we agree, we will cooperate and we will work together. And if we differ, let us talk some more until we develop a consensus. After all, that is THE FILIPINO WAY” (Marcos Junior, 25.07.2022).
So, it is ironic that he just said these words mere week apart. Also a decade later his not trying to rejoin or willing to do so. That’s because his worried about the possible investigation and what it could unravel. This would hurt his allies and his reign. Marcos Junior needs these ones to stay in office and he knows that. They wouldn’t have backed him or been supporting his campaign if not. That’s it really….
The ones who don’t get that. Should check upon the characters that threw their weight onto his campaign and the parties who aligned itself with Bong Bong Marcos. These are the ones who needs to be shielded and not worry about tomorrow. Peace.



“I disagree with that. As somebody who has helped plan coup d’états, not here, but, you know, other places, it takes a lot of work” – John Bolton on CNN (12.07.2022).
Yesterday, not a shocker, but an open revelation, which the world has known for years. That the United States of America imperialism has resulted in installing puppets overseas. This is well known chapter in the legacy of the USA and the Washington Doctrine. They have used their military power, intelligence and means to an end. In such a manner, that they have forced out elected leaders and installed their own heads of state. The latest ones was the failed coup d’etat in Venezuela and the short-term presidency, which was in Bolivia. Therefore, this isn’t anything new, but a reality we live in.
Bolton himself worked not only as an Ambassador to the United Nations and as a Former National Security Advisor (NSA). No, before that since the Presidency of Ronald Reagan. This man has been a war-hawk and a man willing to enforce U.S. interest upon others. That’s been his end-game and it hasn’t really been a secret. That’s why Trump appointing him… is just a long line of Republican President using his “services”.
Bolton himself was the “18th Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs” in the years of 1989 to 1993. That was during the Presidency of George Bush. While his President George W. Bush appointed him too “3rd Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs”. A role he had between 2001 – 2005. Why I am stating these things?
Well, in those years… there was some American interventions in other countries. Which with the revelation can be put on him and his associates in the State Department of the U.S. Government. Surely together with the Central Intelligence Authority (CIA) and other government entities, which could easily be involved in the matter. Therefore, Bolton is just saying what we all knew.
In 1989 the CIA had a counterinsurgency in the Philippines. They had a failed December coup d’etat in that year. Between 1989-1990 the U.S intervened with armed forces in Panama to overthrow government of President Noriega. In 1991, the CIA-backed military coup ousts President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Haiti. That is only mentioning a few things which transpired while he had one term in office under President Bush (senior).
So, with the knowledge of these actions. Could the paperwork and the confidential documents of the State Department verify his involvement in any of these? If so, why is he still a free man? Since, his a war-criminal, which was allowed to overthrow sovereign and independent nations own government. That should be sanctioned and punitive action should used against him. This is only fair that a man like Bolton get to answer for the crimes he has committed. If that is in Panama, Haiti or anywhere else for that matter. Not mentioned earlier… if his responsible for troops sent to Liberia or ushering in a war in Iraq. He could be behind the first Gulf-war. Who knows, right?
But, Bolton is proud of intervening and being behind coups. He had years in office and should be held accountable for that. No one should walk away scot-free. When they have taken down heads of state and installed puppets. That’s just shows the “World Police” and their Imperial ambitions. As U.S. interests has been more valued, than the sovereign interests of the respective nations or their citizens.
Because, who is Bolton or anyone in the State Department right to decide who runs Panama or Liberia? Not their jurisdiction or within their borders, right? That’s for the people of Panama or Liberia. Heck, why did the U.S. try a coup in Philippines, just mere years after the People Power movement overthrow the Marcos the dictatorship? Well, you can figure that one out, right? U.S. has a hankering for U.S. sponsored dictators like Mobutu. So, they could always have another like that elsewhere. As long as it’s their dictator and that man plays to their “rules”.
Alas, Bolton is just that sort of man. People should provide evidence and seen him on trial in the Hague. When other warlords and militia’s with crimes against humanity is there. So, should the likes of Bolton. Bosco “the Terminator” isn’t the only man who deserves to get the book of international laws thrown at him. No, the likes of Bolton deserves that too.
This is a privilege of him speaking like this on CNN and face no consequences. He should answer and there should be filed cases against him. Bolton deserves that and so those anyone else who conspired together with him. That’s only fair and is just. The world needs that and American’s shouldn’t get off the hook either. Peace.


