FFF urges DA chief to take leave of absence amid rice import probe

MANILA, Philippines — The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Wednesday urged Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel, Jr. to show “delicadeza” and take a leave of absence amid the investigation into the alleged illegal importation of P395 million worth of rice.

“Out of a sense of delicadeza, Secretary Francisco P. Tiu-Laurel, Jr. should take a leave of absence as Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary,” the FFF said in a statement.

The group’s appeal relates to the Bureau of Customs’ investigation into the seizure of 312,000 bags of Vietnamese rice from Planters Products, Inc. (PPI), where Laurel holds 79 percent of the stock as chairman.

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“As DA Secretary and Foundation Chairman, Laurel exercises majority voting rights over the selection of PPI’s board of directors at its annual stockholders meeting,” FFF National Manager Raul Montemayor said in a statement.

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READ: Senate to conduct inquiry on P700-M rice smuggling attempt from Vietnam

The organization also called for the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Glenn Panganiban’s leave of absence.

The PPI’s shipment was apprehended after the BPI suddenly revoked its sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance.

The 15,600-metric-ton rice cargo is now detained at the Port of Davao after the vessel attempted to flee.

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“This will assure our farmers and the general public of an impartial, complete and speedy investigation,” Montemayor said.

The organization cited the case of General Manager Nicolas Torre of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, who took a leave of absence after his vehicle’s unauthorized use of the Edsa busway sparked controversy.

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“As head of the national government agency regulating rice importations, DA Secretary Laurel can do no less,” Montemaypr said.

The FFF highlighted that the PPI was the second-largest importer of rice in the country, with 262,000 tons of rice valued at P7.5 billion imported as of August 2026, as cited from BPI records.

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Meanwhile, in 2025, it also imported 22,750 tons, even having “no record of importation before then”, it emphasized. /gsg