Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan raised alarms on Wednesday over the reported 13.7% rice inflation rate for April 2026, warning that price manipulation and profiteering could be driving the sudden spike despite an adequate domestic supply.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Pangilinan urged the government to launch an immediate crackdown on abusive traders, hoarders, and profiteers suspected of artificial price manipulation.
“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.
The senator questioned the necessity of the price surge, pointing to Department of Agriculture (DA) data confirming that the Philippines holds a sufficient buffer stock of rice to last until June.
“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 warned that any intentional manipulation of food prices directly violates the Price Act, the Consumer Act of the Philippines, and the Anti-Economic Sabotage Act.
The call for an investigation follows data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing headline inflation jumping to a three-year high of 7.2% in April 2026, up sharply from 4.1% the previous month. Food and transport costs led the surge, with food inflation accelerating to 6.1% from March’s 2.7%. The food and non-alcoholic beverages index emerged as the largest single contributor, accounting for 31.9% of the overall inflation hike.
According to the PSA, the rice and corn crisis is a primary catalyst for the economic strain. Rice inflation skyrocketed to 13.7% in April from just 3.5% in March, while corn inflation climbed to 21%.
Pangilinan expressed deep concern for ordinary Filipinos and low-income families bearing the brunt of the escalating costs. He noted that the local agriculture and fisheries sectors are simultaneously struggling with elevated production expenses and an influx of imported goods.
To mitigate the compounding food and fuel crises exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Pangilinan stressed the urgency of stabilizing food supplies and cutting reliance on foreign imports.
He reiterated his push for heavier investments in local farming, including fuel and fertilizer subsidies, affordable credit lines, and enhanced farm-to-market infrastructure.
Furthermore, the lawmaker called for the comprehensive enforcement of his 2019 Sagip Saka Act, which permits local and national government agencies to bypass public bidding and buy food supplies directly from agricultural cooperatives.
He concluded by urging agencies to tighten market monitoring to prevent hoarding and ensure that state mitigation funds reach vulnerable communities.