Piñol says resignation buzz are just rumors

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has denied the rumors he has resigned and that President Duterte wants him out of his Cabinet.

"While I was working in the field, rumor swirled that I have resigned following the 'he is all air' joke of President Rodrigo Duterte, referring to me, during an event in Palawan last week," Piñol said.

"I have not resigned and unless the President tells me he no longer needs my services, I will continue working," he maintained.

Piñol was referring to a news article that quoted Duterte as calling the Agriculture chief an "air head" and that his goal to make the Philippines selfsufficient in rice was just lip service.

He said that having known the President for almost 25 years, he has learned to understand his character.

"Sometimes, he would crack jokes which may sound offensive but to him, it's merely a kantiyaw [tease]," Piñol said.

"Still, if the President believes I have failed him and lets go of me as secretary of Agriculture I believe he will value our friendship and tell me of his plan rather than embarrass me in public," he said.

Piñol said he took Duterte’s statement that the country will never be rice sufficient "as a challenge rather than a ridicule."

It was not the first time the President has downplay Piñol's rice selfsufficiency dream. In June last year, Duterte said the country will "never" be able to produce so much rice. Hence, the need to keep importing.

Piñol shrugged off the presidential putdown, and came up with a statement a few days later that the Philippines may actually still achieve the rice selfsufficient status in two years.

On Tuesday he stood by his claim. "I firmly believe that Filipino rice farmers with 4.9 million hectares, only 1.2 million of which are irrigated, could produce enough rice for the country if given support with more irrigation facilities, good seeds and fertilizer," Piñol said.

"In the time I have served as his Agriculture secretary, I can humbly say that while I may not have done so much as expected by some sectors, I have maintained a frugal life and resisted temptations. I am working and I will continue to serve the President and the Filipino farmers and fishermen," he said.