Senator Pangilinan warns vs. price manipulation amid spike in rice prices

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has raised alarm over the reported 13.7% rice inflation rate in April 2026.

The senator expressed concern on possible price manipulation and profiteering behind the sharp increase.

The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, urged authorities to crack down on hoarders, profiteers, and traders who may be exploiting the situation.

“Nakakaalarma ang ganitong kataas na inflation rate at rice inflation rate dahil direkta ang epekto nito sa ating mga mamimili, mga mangingisda, at magsasaka. Isa na naman itong dagok sa araw-araw na kahirapan na dinadanas ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

“Dapat tingnan maigi ng gobyerno kung paano at saan nagmula ang mataas ng rice inflation dahil sinabi mismo ng DA (Department of Agriculture) na meron tayong sapat na supply ng bigas hanggang Hunyo,” he added.

Pangilinan has previously presided over several hearings on agricultural smuggling, the rice tariffication law, and the effects of the Middle East crisis on food supply.

The senator suggested that the spike in rice inflation could be artificially driven.

This comes after the Department of Agriculture maintained that rice supply remains sufficient through June.

Pangilinan said manipulating prices constitutes a violation of laws such as the Anti-Economic Sabotage Act, the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and the Price Act.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that headline inflation rose to 7.2% in April 2026, the highest level in three years and a sharp increase from 4.1% in March.

The surge was largely attributed to rising food and transport costs.

Food inflation climbed to 6.1% from 2.7% the previous month, with food and non-alcoholic beverages accounting for 31.9% of the overall inflation increase—the biggest contributor.

The PSA also pointed to the rice and corn situation as a major factor, with rice inflation jumping to 13.7% from 3.5% in March, while corn inflation reached 21%.

Pangilinan lamented how rising costs are hitting the agriculture and fisheries sector, which is grappling with higher production expenses while competing with a market flooded by imports.

He added that increasing prices of essential goods and services are placing further pressure on ordinary Filipinos, particularly low-income families already struggling with daily expenses.

Crestita Edquila, a 50-year-old resident of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, shared the strain on her household budget.

“Sobrang taas (ng presyo). Nahihilo ako sa taas ng presyo,” she said when asked about her recent food purchase. “Matagal na nating alam na mataas ang inflation.”

Edquila said that in 2023 to 2024, a budget of P2,000 was enough to cover a week’s worth of food—including fish, meat, chicken, and vegetables—for her four-member household. At present, even P3,500 is barely sufficient for the same period.

Pangilinan reiterated the need to strengthen domestic food production to ensure long-term food security, noting that global developments such as the Middle East conflict have worsened pressures on food and fuel supply.

He called for increased government investment in agriculture, including subsidies, affordable credit, and improved farm-to-market infrastructure to better support farmers and fisherfolk.

The senator has also been coordinating with government agencies to fully implement the Sagip Saka Act of 2019, which allows national and local governments to directly procure produce from farmers and fisherfolk without public bidding, expanding their market access through negotiated contracts.

“Ang solusyon sa inflation ay hindi lamang nakadepende sa pagkontrol sa presyo ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan. Higit sa lahat, dapat natin palakasin ang lokal na produksyon ng pagkain at siguraduhin na may sapat na suporta para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na may pangunahing papel sa seguridad sa pagkain,” Pangilinan said.

He also urged agencies to strengthen monitoring systems to curb hoarding and price manipulation, while ensuring that assistance programs reach sectors most affected by rising costs.

As inflation remains a pressing economic concern, Pangilinan pushed for a whole-of-government response to cushion its impact and protect Filipino households.

He is likewise advocating for two key measures: the renationalization of agricultural extension services and the revival of the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives, aimed at modernizing and reforming the agriculture and fisheries sectors.