Manila: Charges will be filed against government officials who are found involved in the smuggling of rice, Malaca±ang announced. In an interview with dzBB, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that there is an ongoing investigation into the alleged involvement of government officials in the illegal importation of rice.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. disclosed in the first episode of his ‘BBM Podcast’ that some government officials are behind and profiting from rice smuggling. Castro emphasized that a thorough investigation is underway, as directed by the President, to verify these claims and ensure that cases are filed against those involved.

Castro admitted that she is not aware of the identities of the officials allegedly implicated in this activity. However, she reassured the public that President Marcos is committed to addressing the issue promptly. She mentioned that the President did not specify whether the implicated officials are from the executive department, but assured that if they are, they would likely be removed once anomalies are verified.

Furthermore, Castro noted that President Marcos is advocating for the restoration of the National Food Authority’s regulatory powers. This move is in response to the continued prevalence of rice smuggling after the grains agency lost its power to import rice directly due to the Rice Tariffication Law. Marcos credited the successful launch of the PHP20-per-kg. rice program to ongoing reforms and record-high rice production, indicating that the initiative will be sustainable until the end of December 2025 due to ample rice supply.