Malacañang on Tuesday issued a gag order against the head of the National Food Authority (NFA), barring him from discussing in public the country’s rice situation.

President Rodrigo Duterte gave the order during Monday’s Cabinet meeting on the rice situation, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

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The President decided that only the NFA Council, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., would be authorized to discuss the rice situation in public.

NFA Administrator Jason Aquino has been blamed by lawmakers for saying there was a shortage in NFA rice, causing panic among consumers and raising prices. Aquino had said he was just being transparent. —Leila B. Salaverria

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