Legal Battle Over Rice Import Claims Leads to Cyber Libel Complaint

Planters Products, Inc. (PPI) has filed a cyber libel complaint against Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) Chairman Leonardo Montemayor and others for allegedly defamatory statements regarding PPI's rice importation activities. The complaint, filed on May 6, 2026, accuses Montemayor of questioning the legality of PPI's importation of 22,750 metric tons of rice from Vietnam, claiming it is exempt from audits despite being classified as a government-owned corporation (GOCC). PPI asserts that it is a private corporation and that its import activities comply with the Rice Tariffication Law. The company claims that the statements made by Montemayor were malicious and have harmed its reputation. Montemayor has stated he will respond once he receives the complaint. The situation has escalated into a legal dispute, highlighting tensions between agricultural stakeholders and private firms in the rice importation sector.

Key Points: • PPI filed a cyber libel complaint against FFF leaders for alleged defamatory statements. • Montemayor questioned PPI's rice import legality and its exemption from audits. • PPI claims compliance with legal importation requirements and seeks to protect its reputation.