MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the cyber libel complaint he lodged against lawyer Levito Baligod and former congressman Rizaldy Co is meant to send a clear message against baseless allegations directed at the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Tiu Laurel said that while criticism is part of governance, accusations must be supported by facts, stressing that misleading claims that erode public trust in institutions may require legal action.

“This is also, in a way, a reminder to everybody: tell the truth,” he said, noting that he does not consider himself litigious. “If you plan to malign us in the DA, make sure there is at least some basis in fact—not pure fabrication.”

The agriculture chief cited recent allegations made by a farmers’ group involving initiatives of Food Terminal Inc. and Planters Products Inc., which aim to provide more affordable alternatives to imported rice. He said the claims were inaccurate and could mislead the public.

“All those allegations are wrong, so we may consider legal action so the truth can come out,” Tiu Laurel said.

He also raised concerns about the credibility of the group, pointing out that its publicly circulated statement did not carry any signature.

“They issued a public statement based on unverified information but refused to affix their signature. That raises serious questions about accountability,” he said.

The DA has been intensifying measures to stabilize rice prices, including tapping state-linked firms to supply lower-cost rice in the market. The move is part of broader efforts to protect consumers from price fluctuations, particularly amid rising inflation driven by increasing oil prices.

Tiu Laurel’s statement reflects a firmer stance by the department against misinformation as it pushes policy measures while seeking to preserve public confidence during a period of concern over food supply and prices.