MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Samuel Martires dismissed claims that he labeled the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agency, the National Food Authority (NFA), as the country’s most corrupt institutions, asserting that his remarks were taken out of context.

“In fairness to the new leadership of the Department of Agriculture, since the issue of rice and onion smuggling was investigated, the new head of the agency, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., has strengthened the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Division. As seen in the news, they’ve already apprehended four cases of agricultural smuggling in Subic,” Martires said in an interview on DZRH.

The Ombudsman said that Tiu Laurel has been proactive in addressing corruption, regularly providing his office with updates on ongoing investigations.

“In fairness to them (the DA and NFA), I am not saying they are the most corrupt. No. When you talk about the most corrupt government agency, you have to consider agencies beyond those located in Quezon Memorial Circle,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed Martires’ clarification and doubled down on his administration’s efforts to purge corruption within the DA.

“I can confidently say that since I assumed office, we have worked tirelessly to clean our ranks. We have been fully cooperative with the Ombudsman—and this has been attested to—in its ongoing investigations into alleged corruption within the DA,” said Tiu Laurel. 

Thr DA enforced the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension orders against 139 NFA officials and employees accused of illegally selling rice buffer stocks. 

While the move temporarily disrupted operations and raised concerns about food security, he insisted it was necessary to restore integrity within the agency.

Even though some suspended NFA employees were eventually reinstated, senior officials were replaced. 

In March 2024, Tiu Laurel appointed Larry Lacson as the new NFA administrator and initiated sweeping reforms to eliminate opportunities for corruption.

The DA said it likewise intensified its crackdown on agricultural smuggling. The agency’s Inspectorate and Enforcement unit seized billions of pesos worth of contraband rice, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables, protecting both consumers and local farmers from unfair trade practices.

“We’ve also blacklisted nearly a dozen unscrupulous importers and have filed charges with various prosecutors’ offices within the Department of Justice. We will not stand idly by while anyone—inside or outside the DA—attempts to undermine the law,” he said.

The DA has also pushed for sweeping policy reforms to dismantle entrenched corruption networks. Changes to the Minimum Access Volume system for pork aim to stabilize prices, while the suspension of round scad (galunggong) imports under Fisheries Administrative Order 195 is designed to prevent market diversion schemes.

To further ensure transparency, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council—now led by former Agriculture Undersecretary Ernesto Ordonez—is closely monitoring DA procurement and project implementation.

Tiu Laurel also said the days of unchecked corruption within the DA are “numbered.”