Philippine First Lady, Brother Accused of Controlling Rice and Onion Imports

Former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co has accused First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and her brother, Martin Araneta, of allegedly controlling the importation of rice and onions in the Philippines an arrangement he claims has created artificial price spikes in these essential commodities.

In a new video released on Wednesday, November 26, Co asserted that the First Lady oversees the country’s rice importation, while her brother purportedly plays a similar role in the onion supply chain.

He said he discovered this through Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

According to Co, he recommended in April 2023 that then House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez authorize the importation of 13 million metric tons of rice to bring the price down to ₱22 per kilo, as prices had already started rising.

“But this proposal was not approved by the President while they were in Clark. Because of that, rice prices shot up to ₱55 per kilo and remained high until 2024,” Co said.

He added that in 2024, he again approached Romualdez and requested a meeting with Agriculture Secretary Laurel and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to explore reducing rice tariffs from 35% to 15%.

Co said he warned Romualdez that rice prices could reach ₱60 per kilo, prompting his recommendation to cut tariffs on imported rice to expand supply and stabilize prices.

Following several meetings, he said economic managers agreed to reduce the tariff.

“However, after four to six months, rice prices still did not fall despite the tariff reduction. That’s why I suggested that Speaker Romualdez initiate a House investigation on rice through the Quinta committee hearings,” Co said.

But the probe was abruptly halted after Secretary Laurel presented a confidential report allegedly implicating the First Lady in activities involving rice importers.

“It stated that First Lady Liza Marcos herself was connected to the rice importers.

According to Sec. Laurel, the First Lady would be affected if the investigation continued because they had traveled with several rice importers during their Vietnam visit—and even had dinner with them,” Co said.

Co added that on the same day, Congressman Sandro Marcos phoned Speaker Romualdez to stop the House investigation on rice, acting on instructions from the President. He said he was with Romualdez at the time of the call. Secretary Laurel later arrived at the Manila Polo townhouse, where Romualdez allegedly scolded him for releasing the confidential report that implicated the First Lady in rice smuggling.

Co said Laurel apologized for being “naive.”

“That was when it became clear why rice prices never went down even after lowering the tariff from 35% to 15%—because of the layers of SOPs and remittances added to every transaction,” Co claimed.

First Lady’s Brother and the Onion Controversy

Co also alleged that the First Lady intervened to stop a House investigation into soaring onion prices because her brother, Martin Araneta, was involved.

“If you recall, in 2022, there was a House investigation led by Cong. Toto Suansing after onion prices skyrocketed to ₱600 per kilo when they should have been around ₱80. That investigation revealed the name of Martin Araneta as one of those behind the control of onion importation,” Co said.

“But the investigation did not proceed. According to Speaker Romualdez, the First Lady called him and ordered the inquiry stopped. As a result, the probe was halted and no one was held accountable. It turns out the First Lady’s brother controlled onion importation,” he added.