Malacañang announced that charges will be filed against government officials allegedly involved in rice smuggling, which contributed to high rice prices over the past years.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. blamed previous officials, mostly from the Duterte administration, for delaying his P20-per-kilo rice program due to illegal and legal rice imports that distorted the market.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said investigations are ongoing and promised that verified anomalies will lead to firings and legal action.
Marcos also highlighted government efforts to boost rice production, citing record harvests in 2023 and 2024, and pushed for restoring the National Food Authority’s regulatory powers to compete with private traders.
The NFA had lost some powers under the Rice Tariffication Law due to alleged corruption, but Marcos aims to strengthen its role in stabilizing rice prices.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 21, 2025
