BPI SCORED
DEPUTY Speaker and Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez on Tuesday censured the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for issuing permits to rice importing companies without exercising due diligence following the discovery that the two top rice importers in the country appear to have only one owner.
This was the revealed in Tuesday’s hearing of the Quinta Committee upon the questions propounded by Suarez to BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, who admitted during the hearing that it had not checked the ownership details of these companies prior to granting them import permits.
The revelation came during Suarez’s interjection following a discussion on the top rice importers.
Suarez asked the BPI about their vetting process for issuing import permits.
“Matanong ko lang Mr. chair if I may while waiting, ito ba lahat binibigyan ng permit ng BPI, lahat ba ito dumadaan sa iyo?” Suarez inquired.
Panganiban confirmed that all importers are processed and issued permits by the BPI. “Yes po,” Panganiban replied.
However, Suarez pressed further, highlighting the overlap in the ownership of the two top rice importers.
“Hindi mo ba napansin kung sino yung mga nabanggit na kumpanya ni Cong. [Nicanor] Briones eh base sa mga listahan ng mga pagmamay-ari eh iisa lang ‘yung dalawang top rice importer natin,” Suarez questioned.
Caught off-guard, Panganiban admitted that the BPI had not verified the ownership structures of these companies.
“Hindi po, hindi namin napa-checked,” Panganiban responded.
This acknowledgment drew frustration from Suarez, who criticized the agency’s oversight.
“Bakit hindi nyo na tsinek? Hindi pwedeng ngayon i-review iyan eh tapos na ang nangyari tapos ngayon nyo gagawin ang trabaho nyo. Dapat nung nag-a-apply palang sila tsinek nyo na kaagad,” Suarez said.
Suarez underscored the importance of due diligence, raising concerns about the potential for market manipulation if a few individuals control multiple rice importing firms.
“Malay nyo, iyang top 5 na yan tatatlo lang pala ang may-ari then sasabihin nyo sa amin ngayon nyo lang gagawin yung trabaho. Hindi pwede iyon,” he added.
Panganiban attempted to explain, saying that the BPI is now reviewing the ownership details of rice importers.
“Since corporation po ito sir, we are checking po kung sino nga yung mga may-ari,” he said.
However, Suarez dismissed the explanation, emphasizing that such a review should have been conducted before permits were issued.
“Dapat nung nag-a-apply palang sila tsinek nyo na kaagad,” Suarez reiterated.
The discovery has raised broader questions about the transparency and accountability of the rice importation process.
Salceda supported Suarez’s request to summon the companies back to the committee.
“If you allow me, we are now on that particular level wherein we can ask them kanino sila nagbenta, kung sino bumili sa kanila at sa anong presyo,” Salceda said.
Suarez further recommended that the importers present themselves before the committee to explain their transactions and ownership structures.
“Anyway Mr. Chairman, can we just request that these importers present themselves to the committee again?” Suarez requested.
The Quinta Committee, created by virtue of House Resolution 2036 introduced by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, is composed of the House Committees on Ways and Means, on Trade and Industry, on Agriculture and Food, on Social Services, and the Special Committee on Food Security, with Ways and Means panel chair Rep. Joey Salceda leading the inquiry.
