Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon wondered out loud Monday, Sept. 15 whether or not there was conflict of interest on the part of his House colleague, Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco when his family's company became the biggest importer of galunggong (round scad) last year.
00:00Trans-Pacific Journey Fishing Corporation. Yes, that's a fishing company. So my question is, particularly you mentioned that Irma Fishing is the biggest Galunggong importer, supposedly?
00:11Galunggong, no, fishing company. Galunggong Fishing Company. But I have some information that Trans-Pacific Journey Fishing Corporation was the biggest importer for that round, is that correct?
00:23Yes, because they are the biggest fishing company in terms of total volume of fish landed, not only Galunggong. Kasi ang Trans-Pacific Journey is tuna and Galunggong. Ang Irma is only Galunggong. Mas maliit yung catch nila.
00:38So that would explain why they got the biggest allocation, is that correct?
00:41It's not about Galunggong. It's not species specific. It's about total volume of seafoods landed.
00:49Alright, can you state for the record who are the owners of this TPJ?
00:52The family of the Tiyankos.
00:56Congressman Tobit Tiyanko.
00:57Their family. Kasi ang company na yan was owned by their parents.
01:01Do you not find any conflict of interest, Mr. Secretary, that the Tiyankos are importing the largest fishing agalunggong for this round?
01:10Well, if you want me to really comment on that, I think they deserve what they are getting because they are the pinakamalaking ninalan talaga.
01:17This is very scientific and everything. So wala akong nakikitang issue.
01:22Well, I'm stating it for the record because congressman Tiyanko is actually a member of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Committee in the last Congress.
01:32So you did not make a conflict of conflicts of interest checks relating to this?
01:39Sa akin, ang Indus sa akin, I've been working with the Indus Sea for so long.
01:43Yung kumpanya nila is, their family has been in fishing for more than 60 years.
01:50So I, it is performance based, Mr. Chair.
01:54So technically, kung sino ang pinakamaraming nila, recorded ng PFDA yan, nagbabawad ng buwis yan, so they should get the biggest allocation.
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