Senator Risa Hontiveros is calling for a Senate investigation into alleged “preferential government treatment” and the surge in rice imports by controversial firm Planters Products Inc..
In a privilege speech, Hontiveros questioned the company’s sudden return as a major rice importer despite its controversial history involving crony capitalism and alleged ill-gotten wealth.
“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,” she said.
The senator said PPI imported over 86,000 metric tons of rice in less than a year, with 73% of the volume arriving in January 2026 alone. About 63,000 metric tons reportedly entered during that month, quickly making the company one of the top rice importers.
Hontiveros also raised questions on how the company financed the imports despite 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 P2 billion to finance these imports. Saan nanggaling ang perang ito?”
She further pointed to alleged preferential treatment from government agencies and cited the company’s links to the fertilizer levy issue during the first Marcos administration, including a 2008 ruling by the Supreme Court declaring the fertilizer levy unconstitutional.IMT
