COCOFED

THE TRUTH ABOUT COCOFED: BEYOND THE “GREED” NARRATIVE

There has been a recurring claim that COCOFED was motivated by “greed” and that its involvement in the coconut levy was simply about securing money for itself.

That accusation deserves to be examined against the historical record—not repeated as though it were an established fact.

COCOFED has never denied that the coconut levy controversy is complicated. It has consistently maintained, however, that its role was rooted in representing coconut farmers and protecting the long-term interests of the Philippine coconut industry.

WHAT DOES THE RECORD SHOW?

When the coconut levy system was established, COCOFED was a recognized national organization of coconut producers with a nationwide organizational structure.

After 1986, COCOFED and related entities were sequestered and became involved in decades of litigation. During that period, allegations were made concerning the coconut levy and the people and organizations associated with it.

But an allegation is not automatically a proven fact.

The courts subsequently issued important decisions concerning the character and ownership of coconut levy assets. The Supreme Court determined that the coconut levy was public in character and was imposed for a public purpose connected with the coconut industry. Those legal findings are part of the record and should be acknowledged.

At the same time, the existence of those rulings does not establish the sweeping proposition that COCOFED as an organization was “run by greed.”

That is a conclusion about motive—and motive must be demonstrated, not simply asserted.

LOOK AT WHAT COCOFED DID

COCOFED’s historical record describes activities undertaken to protect and develop the coconut industry, including:

• Defending the international market for Philippine coconut oil when coconut oil was being attacked in the United States.

• Supporting scientific research concerning coconut oil and its potential applications.

• Working to address the aflatoxin problem threatening Philippine copra meal exports to Europe.

• Pursuing research into the historical US coconut-oil excise-tax issue.

• Supporting research and development aimed at producing higher-value coconut products.

• Advocating for the long-term rehabilitation, modernization, and sustainability of the coconut industry.

These activities do not, by themselves, settle every controversy surrounding COCOFED or the levy. They do, however, demonstrate why reducing the organization’s entire history to the word “greed” is an incomplete portrayal.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE COURT CASES?

This part of the history also needs to be told accurately.

Some coconut-levy cases continued for decades. Other cases were dismissed on legal and procedural grounds, including issues involving extraordinary delay.

In 2023, the Sandiganbayan dismissed Civil Case No. 0033-B involving COCOFED and related entities on the ground of inordinate delay, and the dismissal subsequently became final.

In 2024, the Sandiganbayan dismissed several remaining coconut-levy-related cases involving the Marcoses and others, citing, among other things, the Supreme Court’s earlier rulings and the extraordinary length of the proceedings.

A dismissal does not necessarily mean that every allegation underlying a case was declared false.

But neither should allegations from cases that did not result in a final finding of liability be presented today as though they were unquestionable facts.

That distinction is essential.

“GREED” IS NOT A COURT FINDING

This is the point that should not be lost.

The statement that COCOFED was “run by greed” is a characterization. It is not a judicial finding establishing the motive of the organization as a whole.

COCOFED’s position has been that the coconut levy should be preserved as a long-term resource for the rehabilitation and development of the coconut industry—not simply dissipated through immediate distribution.

People may disagree about how the levy should be used. They may disagree about COCOFED’s historical role. They may criticize decisions made by particular individuals.

Those are legitimate subjects for public discussion.

But disagreement is different from rewriting history.

LET THE RECORD SPEAK

COCOFED does not ask anyone to ignore the controversies surrounding the coconut levy.

It asks only that the entire history be considered.

The allegations.
The court decisions.
The dismissals.
COCOFED’s documented activities.
The interests of coconut farmers.
And the long-term history of the Philippine coconut industry.

The word “greed” cannot substitute for evidence.

COCOFED’s history should be judged by the complete record—not by a single accusation repeated often enough that people begin to mistake it for an established fact.

The truth about COCOFED deserves more than a slogan. It deserves history, evidence, and context.

COCOFED
For the coconut farmers. For the coconut industry. For the truth.

A little piece of our history, rediscovered.

Established 1947. Restored 2026. 🔄 We tracked down a blurry copy of our day-one logo and brought it back to life stitch-for-stitch. History, uncovered!

Earthquake Information No.1
Date and Time: 05 August 2026 - 10:40 PM
Magnitude = 3.0
Depth = 023 km
Location = 05.57°N, 125.18°E - 028 km S 07° W of Glan (Sarangani)

https://earthquake.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/2026_Earthquake_Information/August/2026_0805_1440_B1F.html

TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NR. 11
Tropical Depression
Issued at 5:00 PM, 03 August 2026
Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin at 8:00 PM today.

LUIS SLIGHTLY ACCELERATES WHILE MOVING OVER THE COASTAL WATERS OF DIVILACAN, ISABELA

➣ Location of Center (4:00 PM)
The center of Tropical Depression LUIS was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of Divilacan, Isabela (17.4°N, 122.4°E).

➣ Intensity
Maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 60 km/h, and central pressure of 1002 hPa.

➣ Present Movement
Northwestward at 20 km/h

➣ Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds
Strong winds extend outwards up to 190 km from the center

TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT

TCWS No.1

• Wind threat: Strong winds
• Warning lead time: 36 hours
• Range of wind speeds: 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort 6 to 7)
• Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property

LUZON:

The central and eastern portions of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Piat, Santo Niño, Camalaniugan, Tuao, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Alcala, Amulung, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Buguey, Solana, Rizal, Santa Ana, Gattaran, Iguig, Lasam, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Allacapan, Pamplona) including Babuyan Islands (Camiguin Is., Fuga Is., Didicas Is.), Isabela, Quirino, the eastern and southern portions of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Conner, Pudtol, Luna), the eastern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Tanudan, Pinukpuk, Rizal), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista), and the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dipaculao)

OTHER HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS

➣ Heavy Rainfall Outlook

Refer to Weather Advisory No. 8 issued at 05:00 PM today for the heavy rainfall outlook due to TC LUIS and the Southwest Monsoon.
Link: tinyurl.com/wxadvisory

➣ Severe Winds

The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone. Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.

• Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.

The Southwest Monsoon and the periphery of LUIS will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):

• Today and Tomorrow (04 August): Most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

• Wednesday (05 August): Most of the country.

HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS

➣ 24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook

Up to rough seas over the following coastal waters:

• Up to 3.0 m: The western seaboard of Pangasinan

• Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced of operating ill-equipped vessels.
Up to moderate seas over the following coastal waters:

• Up to 2.5 m: The seaboards of Isabela and Zambales; the northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands; the northern seaboard of Camarines Norte; the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental; the northeastern seaboard of Aurora.

• Up to 2.0 m: The seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, , Surigao del Sur, and Davao Occidental; the western seaboards of Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, and Calamian Islands; the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Northern Samar; the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands; the southern seaboard of Davao Oriental; the remaining seaboards of Pangasinan.

• Mariners of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.

Other coastal waters have forecast wave heights of less than 2.0 m.

TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK

• It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone. Refer to “Other Hazards affecting Land Areas” for more details. Furthermore, the track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.

• LUIS will move generally northwestward and may make landfall or pass close to Cagayan or Isabela this afternoon or evening. Afterwards, it will sharply turn east northeastward while moving away from the Philippine landmass. The forecast track is highly uncertain and may change in the succeeding bulletins.

• LUIS is forecast to remain as a tropical depression over majority of the forecast period and may be downgraded into a remnant low by Wednesday (05 August) before becoming fully assimilated into the circulation of Tropical Cyclone DOLPHIN.

Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 8:00 PM today.

DOST-PAGASA

Link: tinyurl.com/TCB-tab-1

As of 8:00 PM today, 26 July 2026, Severe Tropical Storm "NOUL" (formerly KIYAPO) has weakened into a Tropical Storm and is being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

All are advised to monitor updates from DOST-PAGASA.