Planters Products files cyber libel, defamation vs farmer groups

PLANTERS Products, Inc. (PPI) on Wednesday said it filed a criminal complaint for cyber libel and oral defamation against two farmers’ groups over alleged malicious statements concerning the company’s corporate status and rice trade activities.

The agricultural firm said that the public accusations have severely damaged its reputation, undermined its commercial credibility, and cast unwarranted doubt on the integrity of its nationwide operations.

In a copy of the complaint-affidavit shared with the media on Wednesday, the PPI filed the charges before the Makati City Prosecution Office on May 5, against Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) Chairman Leonardo Q. Montemayor and the chairperson of the Magsasaka Party-list.

According to the filing, the dispute stems from a statement and subsequent media interviews in which the groups allegedly characterized PPI as a government-owned or -controlled corporation (GOCC) to question the legality of its rice importations. PPI, however, said it is a private stock corporation. “In this case, the Press Release containing the Libelous Statements injures the character, reputation, and good name of PPI because it misleads the public into thinking that PPI is a GOCC and it violated laws in its purchase, sale, and importation of rice,” part of the complaint read.

The firm further argued that the respondents’ claims regarding the need for a government-declared rice shortage prior to importation do not apply to private entities.

“The statements in the Press Release are not only false, but also malicious and defamatory as they were made in utter disregard of the truth,” it added.

PPI maintained that its importations, including those from India and Vietnam, are fully documented with the necessary import clearances. The company added that its pricing remains below the government’s suggested retail price.

Mr. Montemayor, a former Agriculture Secretary, told BusinessWorld in a Facebook chat that he has yet to receive the complaint and will issue a comment after reviewing it. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking