Sugar Leader Slams Smear Campaign vs Valderrama

Enrique D. Rojas, president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), condemned in the strongest terms the smear campaign against Mr. Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama, Jr., president of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED).

“Industry stakeholders know that Mr. Valderrama, as president of CONFED and as a key member of the Sugar Council to which NFSP also belongs, has been very vocal in criticizing erroneous sugar policies, particularly on sugar importation, which has caused billions in losses to sugar farmers. This smear campaign apparently aims to discredit and silence Mr. Valderrama,” Rojas stated.

Rojas issued the statement after media reports surfaced accusing Valderrama of numerous labor-related violations allegedly committed against workers in his leased farm in Cadiz City.

In a statement, Valderrama’s legal counsel declared that the malicious accusations are false, explaining that Valderrama has presented before the DOLE pertinent records which debunked the workers’ allegations.

“After the workers realized that they cannot question the documents legally, they resorted to social media, hoping that they can pressure Mr. Valderrama into submitting to unreasonable and baseless demands. What they cannot do legally, they try to achieve by mudslinging and media pressure tactics. Mr. Valderrama has stated, his conscience is clear and he will not bow to any such coercion,” Valderrama’s counsel stated.

The lawyer added, “The DOLE will conduct an inspection of the farms, including payrolls, time records, etc. The office of Mr. Valderrama has nothing to hide. This inspection will vindicate Mr. Valderrama, and prove that he did not cheat the workers. His personal and foundational principle is, and has always been: a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s labor.”

Rojas pointed out that the DOLE is the appropriate venue to settle labor-related disputes, and that the manner in which the allegations were publicized – well- orchestrated, highly-funded press conference at a fancy restobar, and spearheaded by radical, left-leaning groups – speaks of malicious intent to personally attack a vocal critic. “There is no place for such dirty tactics in a civilized society. Whatever concerns raised regarding official policies should be addressed point by point intelligently by the concerned officials in the spirit of transparency and accountability, without resorting to personal attacks thru whatever pretext,” Rojas emphasized.*