By Lane Afable, News Editor
Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for a Senate investigation into potential “preferential government treatment” and other issues surrounding the surge in rice imports by the controversial Planters Products, Inc. (PPI).
In a privilege speech, Hontiveros said that the Senate should look into the “questionable” circumstances behind PPI’s sudden re-emergence as one of the country’s top rice importers, despite being linked to crony capitalism and ill-gotten wealth in the past.
“Wala pong masama sa importation per se. After a temporary ban, a rebound is expected. But what demands our attention — at dapat nating tutukan — is the sudden and aggressive surge in rice importation by Planters Products, Inc., or PPI,” Hontiveros said.
According to the Senator, PPI imported more than 86,000 metric tons of rice in less than a year, with 73% of the volume entering the country in January 2026 alone. She noted that PPI brought in around 63,000 metric tons in January, quickly placing it among the country’s top rice importers.
Hontiveros questioned how the company managed to finance such large-scale imports despite financial statements showing limited equity and reported losses.
“Based on audited annual financial statements for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 submitted to the SEC in August 2025, PPI had equity of about only P536 million and even reported a net loss. Yet we are told that it mobilized PhP2 billion to finance these imports. Saan nanggaling ang perang ito?” she asked.
The Senator also raised concerns over possible preferential treatment from government agencies. She noted that PPI has long been controversial due to its links to the fertilizer levy during the first Marcos administration. She cited the 2008 Supreme Court ruling in Planters Products, Inc. vs. Fertiphil Corporation, which declared the fertilizer levy unconstitutional for benefiting a private corporation using public funds.
“So ano ba talaga ang PPI, private ba o government-owned and controlled corporation? Because if it is private, why does it appear to enjoy preferential treatment in getting the necessary phytosanitary permits from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)?” Hontiveros said.
The Senator also said that confusion has seemingly reached foreign markets, citing a Times of India report stating that PPI signed an agreement with India’s Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation while “representing the Philippine government.” Hontiveros said this raises further questions on whether PPI is operating as a private corporation or effectively functioning as a government-owned and controlled corporation.
She also pointed out that the Department of Agriculture itself continues to describe PPI as a “sequestered company” under its administration “because [it was] suspected of ill-gotten wealth and crony capitalism.”
Almost 80% of the shares of PPI are held in trust for farmers by the PPI Foundation Inc, a GOCC, with government officials in the Board.
“What we are seeing bears the familiar and troubling marks of crony capitalism — a system in which proximity to power translates into privilege while many, our farmers and consumers, are left to suffer,” Hontiveros said.
“Were public funds used and are they now at risk? Were permits hastened and exemptions granted? And ultimately, sino ang tunay na nakikinabang, at sino ang napag-iiwanan? The Filipino people deserve clear answers,” Hontiveros concluded.
