Farmers group seeks dismissal of cyber libel case vs ex-DA chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) urged the dismissal of the cyber libel suit filed against former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor over his statements questioning Planters Products Inc.’s (PPI) rice imports.

“We call for the dismissal of this cyber libel suit, and for protection of advocates who defend farmers. Let us debate policy, not silence farmers’ champions,” the FFF said on Wednesday.

Montemayor, the current chair of the FFF, surrendered on Monday, Oct. 26, following the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the Makati City Regional Trial Court over the cyber libel and oral defamation complaints filed against him.

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He posted bail of P84,000.

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The case stemmed from statements by the FFF and other agricultural groups that allegedly characterized PPI as a government-owned or -controlled corporation.

They also raised concerns over the company’s alleged exemption from inspection by the Commission on Audit.

However, PPI maintained that it is a private company and that its rice importation activities comply with the law.

READ: Agri company files cyberlibel, oral defamation vs two farmers’ groups

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According to the FFF, Montemayor is facing a cyber libel suit for merely “championing farmers’ welfare and exposing the devastating effects of unregulated rice, pork, and other food imports that are decimating our local farmers.”

The group also cited Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

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“To speak the truth about the plight of our farmers is not libel; it is a moral duty,” the group stressed.

The FFF said documenting issues in the agricultural sector, such as the impact of import liberalization, competition against foreign-made goods, and agricultural smuggling, is not a crime but a public service.

The group also linked the peso’s weakening to P64 per dollar to the “import-dependent food system.”

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“We stand for food nationalism as antidote: local production of camote, gabi, saging, azolla-fed tilapia, rice-duck systems, and solar-powered fishponds that need zero dollars,” it said. /mcm