Ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Co claims First Lady intervened in rice, onion price probes

Resigned Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co has accused First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos of intervening in congressional inquiries concerning the rising prices of rice and onions.

Co claimed that the First Lady personally intervened in a 2022 House investigation into soaring onion prices, allegedly on behalf of her brother, Martin Araneta.

According to Co, Liza Marcos contacted then-Speaker Martin Romualdez to halt the inquiry shortly after her brother's alleged involvement in the onion price crisis surfaced.

He further alleged that the First Lady and her brother were reportedly profiting from agricultural imports, with Martin Araneta handling profits from onion importation during a price surge.

Co asserted that the First Lady also intervened in a 2024 inquiry into the rising prices of rice, which was reportedly stopped after Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. showed members of Congress a confidential report detailing her influence over rice importers.

However, House Quinta Comm Co-Chair Rep. Mark Enverga has tagged Co's claims as "baseless, illogical, absurd, and completely contradicted by facts."

Enverga stated that multiple hearings were conducted on rice importation and smuggling, and at no point was there any instruction to suspend or halt the inquiry.