MANILA – A House leader on Tuesday called for accountability in the “biggest agricultural price manipulation case” involving alleged rice importation anomalies during the Duterte administration that cost Filipino consumers billions of pesos.
Speaking at the inaugural hearing of the newly formed Murang Pagkain Supercommittee, panel chair and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the manipulation of rice import permits between 2016 and 2018 led to a surge in rice prices.
Salceda cited systemic failures that allowed cartels to exploit the country’s food supply.
“The biggest case of price manipulation in the agricultural sector remains to be the cornering of import permits in 2016-2018,” Salceda said, estimating the total economic loss at PHP88.6 billion.
He noted that consumers paid up to PHP8 more per kg. of rice during the period.
Salceda attributed the price spike to private sector control over rice importation and the manipulation of permits under the National Food Authority (NFA).
He highlighted how the problem eased only after the Rice Tariffication Law abolished the NFA’s permit system in 2019.
Salceda questioned the lack of resolution in the scandal, including allegations of a PHP2-billion bribery scheme within the NFA in 2018.
He noted that officials previously named in Senate hearings—including Marlon Barillo, Marigold De Castro, Richie Carpio, Mercedes Yacapin, Rocky Valdez, and Judy Carol Dansal—have faced no known consequences.
Dansal was later appointed NFA administrator by then president Rodrigo Duterte.
“What happened to the charges that then Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government was going to file in September 2018?” Salceda asked.
The lawmaker requested the supercommittee’s secretariat to send letters to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to determine whether cases have been filed against implicated officials.
He also sought confirmation from the DOJ on whether a formal investigation had been initiated into former NFA Administrator Jason Aquino.
Salceda likewise directed letters to the NFA and the Bureau of Customs requesting records on rice import permits and arrivals from 2016 to 2018, warning that the committee may invoke subpoena powers to obtain the documents.
Salceda alleged that cartels exploited the NFA’s diversion of palay procurement funds—intended to support farmers—to pay off loans.
“No one has gone to jail for allegations of bribery in obtaining import permits, or for the NFA’s failure to undercut cartels by diverting palay procurement funds to loan payments,” he said.
The Murang Pagkain Supercommittee, formed under House Resolution No. 254, aims to address critical issues in the food supply chain, including price manipulation, smuggling, and hunger.
It consolidates efforts from key House committees to ensure affordable and accessible food for all Filipinos.
Salceda reiterated the committee’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the rice importation anomalies. (PNA)