In a text message last night to Palace reporters, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed the signing of the rice tariffication law. Duterte also signed a measure granting discounts to candidates for political advertisements, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III. The country’s economic team has been pushing for rice tariffication, saying this should bring down the prices of the country’s staple and weaken inflation. The rice tariffication law replaces the government’s quantitative restrictions on importation of the staple with a 35 percent tariff. Duterte’s economic managers have identified rice tariffication as one of a means to meet the country’s commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Source: Philippine Star February 15, 2019 16:01 UTC