MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – No less than Facebook Fact Checker Rappler has declared as a hoax reports that Rodrigo Duterte is the first Philippine President to import galunggong (round scad), an inexpensive fish popular among Filipinos. The fact is, the country has been importing galunggong since 2001.

But now, sources close to Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol say that for the first time in Philippine history, the government is importing tuyo —  salted dried fish that’s always been identified as a “poor man’s food” because of its abundance and affordable price.

In a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Coordinating Office (PCOO), it was revealed that the non-stop Monsoon rains that have lingered on in the country is to blame.

”Without the sun, food producers can’t dry the fish,” the statement said, “so the Duterte Administration has no choice but to import the commodity from countries that have sunny weather.”

It wasn’t clear how long the tuyo shortage in the Philippines will last; it depends on the Monsoon situation.

As the TV Patrol weathercaster would say, “Ang buhay ay weather-weather lang.” (Life is but dependent on weather.)