MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday called on the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other concerned agencies to file charges against rice traders and importers found to be hoarding supply or manipulating rice prices.

Pangilinan said legal action must be taken against individuals or groups profiting off abusive practices that threaten both consumers and producers.

“We support DA Secretary Laurel’s directive to file profiteering charges through the NFA and its regional offices once these reports are validated,” Pangilinan said. “Hoarding, price manipulation, and other abusive practices hurt millions of farmers and Filipino families. It also undermines national efforts to achieve food security. The government must step in.”

He also urged the Philippine Competition Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation to assist in identifying violators and in building airtight cases against them.

Citing Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, as amended, Pangilinan emphasized that profiteering, hoarding, and other forms of economic sabotage involving essential goods—including rice—are punishable by law. He also referenced Republic Act 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act, which classifies agricultural profiteering as economic sabotage.

Apart from holding profiteers accountable, Pangilinan also pushed for the full implementation of Republic Act 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act, which he authored. The law allows government agencies and local governments to buy produce directly from farmers and fisherfolk to ensure fair prices and protect livelihoods.

“Let’s not just punish the abusers—let’s empower the producers. We cannot talk about food security while turning a blind eye to farmers being paid just P5 per kilo for wet palay,” he said, citing recent reports from Nueva Ecija.

It was also in Nueva Ecija where Pangilinan led “Oplan Sagip Kamatis” during the 2025 campaign, an initiative that rescued tons of unsold tomatoes from going to waste, underscoring the challenges faced by local farmers.

“Food security is not just about supply. It’s about justice,” Pangilinan said. “And justice means protecting our producers from those who exploit them.”