Ex-DA chief Montemayor's indictment for cyberlibel not persecution --PPI

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The Planters Products Inc. (PPI) said the indictment of former Agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor for cyberlibel is not a persecution.

To recall, in May 2026, the PPI filed a cyberlibel case against Federation of Free Farmers chairperson Montemayor over his allegations that the company is a GOCC as he questioned PPI’s importation of about 22,750 metric tons of rice from Vietnam.

PPI has insisted that it is not a government-owned corporation and its shares of stocks are owned by private individuals and entities, not by the government whether directly or indirectly.

This month, Office of the City Prosecutor-Makati found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction for one count of cyberlibel and two counts of oral defamation against Montemayor.

Prosecutors, in particular, found that Montemayor's statements accusing PPI of "engaging in unfair competition against Filipino farmers" and portraying it as a government-owned or controlled corporation were defamatory and malicious.

Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 ordered Montemayor's arrest on October 26. He has since posted bail. His arraignment is scheduled for November 24.

In a statement, Atty. Czarina G. Quintanilla-Raz, PPI legal counsel and spokesperson, said the company would support prosecutors in presenting evidence and pursuing accountability through the courts.

Quintanilla-Raz also slammed the “portrayal of the case as persecution,” saying “the issue concerned truth and falsehood.”

This came after MAGSASAKA Party-list and the FFF said, “there is absolutely nothing libelous in stating this legal fact, nor is it defamatory to demand transparency and accountability from a government-controlled entity that has engaged in the massive, questionable importation of rice to the direct detriment of Filipino farmers.”

“With the recent string of arrests targeting critics and advocates who dare to question agricultural cartels and administrative overreach, it has become clear that defending the Filipino farmer is now a dangerous endeavor,” FFF and MAGSASAKA Party-list said.

Quintanilla-Raz, however, said that “making unfounded, defamatory accusations carries legal consequences, regardless of a person's former government position.”

"Freedom of expression does not give anyone the right to make defamatory statements or present unsupported allegations as established facts," she said.

Quintanilla-Raz reiterated that PPI is a private corporation, separate from the Department of Agriculture, and that regulatory oversight does not confer control over its business decisions.

GMA News Online has reached out to Montemayor for comment. The story will be updated once a response is received. —AOL, GMA News