Marcos to take Philippine farming portfolio in inflation battle

President-elect, seeing possible food shortages, vows to revamp sector

Philippine President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., center, raises hands with the Senate president and the House speaker during his proclamation at the House of Representatives, in Quezon City, Metro Manila on May 25. © Reuters

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

June 20, 2022 20:28 JST

MANILA -- Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that he will head the country's agriculture department as he seeks to revamp the sector amid rising food prices and possible shortages.

Marcos will assume office on June 30, at a time when the Southeast Asian nation of 110 million people is grappling with soaring commodity prices.