Pia Magalona, pinuna ang prayoridad ng Senado matapos kanselahin ang pagdinig para sa mga magsasaka
- Pia Magalona expressed frustration on social media following the reported cancellation of a Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing
- Farmer advocate Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco shared that farmers from various communities had prepared statements about rising production costs, climate-related problems, and low earnings before the hearing was called off
- The advocate criticized the sudden cancellation, saying it left many farmers disappointed after making sacrifices to attend
- Pia later underscored the need for lawmakers to focus on issues affecting the agriculture sector
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Pia Magalona has expressed strong disapproval regarding the current priorities of the Senate following the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled hearing on agricultural issues earlier this week.
Source: Instagram
On Instagram Stories on Thursday, May 14, Pia shared a post from PhilStar featuring the sentiments of Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco, a farmer advocate who criticized the Senate's decision to cancel a meeting meant to address the urgent struggles of local farmers.
The cancellation occurred following a major leadership shakeup in the Senate, which left stakeholders—including farmers who traveled from various provinces—unable to voice their concerns regarding high fuel costs and, in some cases, lost income.
Chef Waya detailed the extensive preparation the farmers had undergone, noting they had worked throughout the week to prepare their testimonies regarding rising fertilizer costs, poor roads, and the impact of imported vegetables.
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In a Facebook post, the farmer advocate wrote:
“We were supposed to be at the Senate today, accompanying our partner farmers as they prepared to speak before the Senate Committee on Agriculture. They were invited to share the realities they face, especially now, with fuel prices crushing already fragile livelihoods. All week they worked on their statement. Farmers from across communities sent stories and concerns: rising fertilizer costs, poor roads, lack of cold storage, predatory trader pricing, imported vegetables undercutting local produce, climate change, El Niño, transport costs eating into already razor-thin margins. They tried to shape years of hardship into something coherent enough for our leaders to finally hear. And despite everything, they were hopeful. The representatives rearranged their schedules during planting and harvest season. They found people to tend fields in their absence. Mothers arranged childcare. They bought bus tickets and traveled for hours to Manila because they believed that maybe, finally, government would listen. Then yesterday afternoon came the notice: the hearing was canceled. No explanation that could justify the lost time, lost income, lost hope. No clear word on when the Committee on Agriculture will reconvene, or whether it will even have the interest or empathy to genuinely engage with farmers' concerns. Depending on who leads it, they may be more interested in farm-to-market roads, the newest favorite budget item, suspiciously beginning to resemble the new flood control projects: easy to legislate, easy to pad, easy to bury under layers of bureaucracy while farmers remain hungry and indebted. What happened yesterday at the Senate feels like a new low. Our farmers came prepared with lived experience, practical solutions, and dignity. The Senate responded with cancellation notices and political theater. The senators have shown us clearly who they represent: themselves, their dynasties, their ambitions, their interests. Not the people who plant food nor the people who wake before dawn to harvest vegetables that feed our cities. Not the people carrying this country on their backs while being paid the least and blamed the most. WALANG HONOR, WALANG BAYAN, WALANG HIYA.”
Echoing frustration over the incident, Pia argued that the focus of lawmakers should be on those who produce food rather than the political maneuvering within the chamber.
The wife of the late Francis Magalona wrote, “This should be the priority bec farmers put food on our table.”
She then targeted the politicians responsible for the disruptions, writing, “NOT some hooligans posing as lawmakers, but are actually lawbreakers.”
Her post came as discussions about Senate priorities, government accountability, and support for the agriculture sector continue to circulate.
Source: Instagram
Francis Magalona was one of the most famous hip-hop artists in the Philippines. He also became beloved as one of the hosts of ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Francis M was married to Pia Magalona, and their children include celebrities Maxene, Saab, and Elmo Magalona.
On Instagram Stories on May 7, Pia greeted Sen. Bam Aquino with a birthday message recognizing his leadership and service to the public. She praised his integrity and commitment to the Filipino people and wished him good health. Pia concluded her message with warm greetings and a note of anticipation for their next meeting.
In October, Pia expressed gratitude after receiving a birthday gift from Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. She shared a photo of a basket of fresh vegetables from a local sustainable farm along with a heartfelt birthday card. Pia thanked him for the thoughtful gesture and kindness.
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