Kiko urges legal action against abusive rice traders

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday called on the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and other relevant agencies to take immediate legal action against rice traders and importers found to be hoarding and manipulating prices.

Pangilinan, a long-time advocate for agricultural reform and food security, urged authorities to file profiteering and economic sabotage charges once reports of abuse are verified.

"We support DA Secretary Laurel's directive to file profiteering charges through the NFA and its regional offices once these reports are validated,” said Pangilinan.

“Hoarding, price manipulation, and other abusive practices hurt millions of farmers and Filipino families. It also undermines national efforts to achieve food security. The government must step in,” he added.

The senator also appealed to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to assist in investigating and building strong cases against those involved in exploitative activities in the rice supply chain.

Pangilinan cited Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, and Republic Act 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, which impose strict penalties on profiteering and hoarding of essential goods, including rice and other agricultural products.

In addition to punitive measures, Pangilinan stressed the importance of implementing Republic Act 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored.

The law enables direct government procurement from farmers and fisherfolk, aiming to ensure fair market prices and strengthen local livelihoods.

“Let's not just punish the abusers—let's empower the producers,” Pangilinan said, citing reports that farmers in Nueva Ecija are being paid as low as P5 per kilo for wet palay.

He said that discussions on food security are irrelevant if the injustices faced by Filipino farmers are ignored.

Pangilinan also recalled his 2025 campaign initiative, Oplan Sagip Kamatis in Nueva Ecija, where tons of unsold tomatoes were saved from spoilage—underscoring the vulnerability of producers to unfair trading systems.

“Food security is not just about supply. It's about justice. And justice means protecting our producers from those who exploit them,” he stressed.