on Wed, 05/17/2017 By Eugene Y. Adiong

The sugar industry has scored a partial victory with the withdrawal of beverage giant Coca Cola-FEMSA of the injunction case it filed against key government officials, Atty. Emilio Yulo, spokesperson of the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines said yesterday.

Yulo said for now there is no threat to the constitutionality of sugar order no.3 Atty. Mark Kok representative of Coke during yesterday’s inquiry on the importation of high fructose corn syrup of the House Committee on Agriculture said that the company has already ordered its lawyers to withdraw the case in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

“We want a more definitive action for the industry,” Yulo said. He expressed optimism that sugar prices for the next crop year will improve from the current P1200. This is a confidence building measure in our search for a win-win solution, Yulo pointed out. He also expressed support for proposals to impose excise tax on imported HFCS.

Sultan Kudarat Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr.(2nd dist) and his wife Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st dist) will propose a bill to levy excise tax on the importation of HFCS.

Suansing said that his proposal will help the sugar industry. I will still consult with the various government agencies, he said. Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez (3rd dist) said he hopes that Coke will follow what it verbalize during the Senate and House hearings.*(Eugene Y. Adiong)