Over fake rice post: Santa Fe to sue Facebook user

CEBU, Philippines – Reports of the presence of fake rice in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island have reportedly tainted the image of the town and affected it economically. Now, the mayor, Jose Esgana, wants to sue.

Esgana said he is eyeing at filing charges against the person who posted a video of alleged fake rice on social media.

“Yes, we will,” Esgana said in a message to The Freeman.

He said he has discussed the matter with his lawyers but they are yet to decide what exact case to file.

The Facebook user, a resident of Santa Fe, uploaded a video of the alleged fake rice on the social media site and complained that her two children experienced upset stomach.

Esgana said the Facebook post is considered a serious offense because it terrified the public and caused panic.

The National Food Authority has already denied that fake rice is being sold in the Philippines.

The provincial government, too, tested rice samples from Santa Fe with Vice Governor Agnes Magpale clarifying to reporters later that there is no truth to the report.

She said there was no unusual smell or taste from the samples from barangays in Santa Fe that are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which is being implemented under the town’s sustainable livelihood program.

Magpale also took into account the theory of Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, the director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - 7, that it might be the water used to clean and cook the rice that caused the illness.

“Giingon na dayon nga nagkalibang. Kining nagkalibang, according to Macapobre, like in Kinatarcan, ang source of water nila kay well. Amo sad na ipa-analyze karon nga di ba kaha tungod sa water,” Magpale said.

Still, samples were forwarded to the Department of Agriculture for laboratory testing.

Earlier, NFA national administrator Jason Laureano Aquino warned that those who spread unverified reports can face legal charges. —/JMO (FREEMAN)