Ex-DA chief slapped with cyber libel over alleged 'GOCC' rice import claim

A cyber libel complaint has been filed against Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) chairperson Leonardo Montemayor, a former secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), before the Makati City Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday.

In its 187-page complaint, private firm Planters Products Inc. (PPI) alleged that Montemayor, in his TV interviews, questioned the company’s importation of about 22,750 metric tons of rice from Vietnam, and that he claimed the company “seems to be exempt from the Commission on Audit’s yearly inspection, even though the company is classified as a GOCC…”

The PPI said it is not a government-owned corporation, and that its shares of stocks are owned by private individuals and entities and not by the government, whether directly or indirectly.

“PPI is a private corporation, and its importations comply with all legal requirements,” it said.

Sought for comment, Montemayor told GMA News Online that he will make the necessary response “after we have received and read the complaint.”

PPI said that the “defamatory” claims regarding its corporate status and legitimate business activities were made with malice and have directly injured the reputation and goodwill the company has built over decades.

“As a private corporation dedicated to sustainable agriculture, PPI is taking this necessary step to protect its image against detractors and to ensure the public receives accurate information regarding its commitment to the Filipino farming community,” it said. — BM, GMA News