Senator JV Ejercito on the Public Order Committee hearing on Jan. 21, 2026 – Photo courtesy of JV Ejercito/Facebook.
Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday filed a resolution in the Senate seeking an inquiry into alleged over-importation of sugar that may be affecting local producers.
Ejercito’s Senate Resolution No. 369 calls on the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform to investigate issues surrounding sugar importation policies and their impact on the domestic industry.
He said the probe is meant to protect local farmers and workers amid concerns raised by industry stakeholders over import timing, volume, and coordination.
The senator cited reports alleging lapses in the Sugar Regulatory Administration, including overlapping import schedules that may have disrupted market conditions.
He warned that mistimed imports could have resulted in oversupply, weaker farmgate prices, and reduced earnings for those in the sugar sector.
The resolution noted that sugar stocks as of March 2026 reached 668,405 metric tons, higher than the 568,871 metric tons recorded in the same period in 2025.
Ejercito said the increase in supply levels points to possible effects of importation decisions and warrants closer review of existing policies.
He added that import rules must be reassessed to ensure they remain responsive to current conditions and support the long-term stability of the industry.