Farmers' group seeks dismissal of libel case against Montemayor

MANILA — The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Wednesday moved to dismiss a cyberlibel complaint filed against its chairperson, former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor, stemming from his public statements questioning a company's legal standing to import rice into the country.

Montemayor appeared before the Makati City Regional Trial Court on Monday after the court issued a warrant for his arrest. The complaint relates to remarks he made regarding the legitimacy of a firm's importation activities, which the complainant characterized as defamatory.

The farmers' organization has defended Montemayor's statements as protected speech in the context of legitimate public debate over agricultural policy and food security. The FFF contends that his comments were made in his capacity as a prominent agriculture advocate and were not intended to damage anyone's reputation, but rather to raise concerns about the rice supply chain.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between agricultural stakeholders and private enterprises involved in rice importation, a sensitive issue in the Philippines amid concerns about local farming viability and food self-sufficiency. The court proceedings are expected to continue as both parties present their arguments regarding the cyberlibel allegations.