The Palace on Friday condemned a series of viral videos circulating on social media that appear to show infested rice allegedly being sold under the yet-to-launch P20-per-kilo rice program.
During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has not begun distributing the subsidized rice. “This is fake news,” she stated, urging the public to verify information before sharing misleading content.
The videos, widely shared online, show rice allegedly full of bukbok (rice weevils), sparking concerns about the quality of the promised low-cost staple.
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. also expressed disappointment after Vice President Sara Duterte commented that the rice might end up being fit only for animal consumption.
The Department of Agriculture announced that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) had approved its request for an exemption, allowing the sale of P20-per-kilo rice despite the ongoing election period.
The DA said the program rollout will begin in the Visayas region next week.
The Palace reminded the public to be cautious about unverified information on social media, especially materials that aim to discredit ongoing government programs.
Despite criticisms, the administration stands by its commitment to provide affordable rice while maintaining safety and quality standards in the distribution process.
