MANILA, Aug. 29 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday tagged as "fake news" claims of alleged ghost deliveries of fertilizer subsidy.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. acknowledged that there were delays in some deliveries but stressed that all transactions were documented and accounted for.

"Technically, there is a delay, confirmed naman iyan (that's confirmed) and documented. But as far as ghost deliveries are concerned, I consider that as fake news," Tiu Laurel said in an interview.

He urged those spreading what he called "baseless claims" to instead cooperate with the DA in tracking down possible irregularities.

"Kung mayroon man silang alam, tulungan nila kaming hulihin. At kung totoo man iyan, huhulihin ta...