Science Speaks - Blog by ISAAA

The Philippine Judiciary Addresses Challenges in Agri-Biotech Commercialization

By Clement Dionglay
October 1, 2025

The commercialization of biotech crops in the Philippines is influenced by regulatory frameworks, public perceptions, and, crucially, the judiciary, when their commercial release is challenged by those opposing the technology. While regulations serve as a cornerstone, their efficacy can be affected by public opposition and legal challenges. To bridge this gap, strategic communication of the benefits and safety of biotechnology is essential for successful product delivery, especially when navigating the legal landscape and in fostering agricultural biotechnology regulation that prioritizes poverty alleviation, food security, sustainability, and social progress.

To address the critical challenges hindering the commercialization of biotech products in the Philippines, ISAAA, Inc., in collaboration with Bayer AgriScience, Inc., held a workshop titled The Future of Food and Law: A Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology for the Philippine Judiciary. The workshop, held on September 25, 2025, at Sheraton Manila Bay, brought together more than 100 representatives from the Supreme Court, Philippine Judicial Academy, the Court of Appeals, regulators, academics, scientists and researchers, public and private technology developers, and communicators to collaboratively analyze current challenges and obstacles and develop proactive strategies to prevent setbacks in delivering biotech products to Filipino farmers and consumers.

In his opening remarks, former Secretary of the Philippine Department of Agriculture and ISAAA, Inc. Board Chair Dr. William D. Dar emphasized the benefits of biotech crops, citing the success of Bt corn, which has significantly increased productivity and reduced poverty among smallholder Filipino farmers. Dr. Dar cited the crucial role of the judiciary in the commercialization of biotech crops in the Philippines, saying, "Your role in this discourse is crucial. As the guardians of our Constitution, your decisions have the power to shape an environment that either enables or hinders innovation." In a stirring appeal, he urged the workshop participants, "Let us collectively work to secure a future where no Filipino goes hungry." 

Hon. Justice Selma P. Alaras, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, welcomed the workshop participants and highlighted the judiciary's role in navigating the legal and ethical complexities of biotechnology. Justice Alaras explained that the judiciary shares parallel goals, sentiments, fears, and outlook in building an optimistic hope for the future, and this hope propels the judiciary to perform its vital role. She urged the participants to listen, communicate, and collaborate to address public concerns and foster innovation. "Bridge the gap. Talk with each other. Accept, give, negotiate, settle, or compromise. Harmonize."

ISAAA Senior Associate Scientist Mr. Panfilo De Guzman explained the workshop’s objectives and structure. He also facilitated the pre-workshop interactive poll on biotech crop adoption and public perception.

Agri-biotechnology Landscape in Southeast Asia and the Philippines

ISAAA Inc. Executive Director Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita presented the global status of biotech crop approvals, including the most widely planted biotech crops, recent crop approvals, and the biotech crops under development and awaiting approval. Dr. Aldemita emphasized the contributions of biotech crops to sustainability, saying that these crops play a significant role in addressing food security and climate change. Lastly, she provided the workshop participants with updates on gene editing in agriculture and the regulatory landscape for gene-edited crops.

Dr. Abraham Manalo, Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, discussed the agricultural biotechnology landscape, the status of biotech crop adoption, and the impacts of biotech crops in the Philippine economy. Dr. Manalo shared the journey of commercializing Bt corn, the first biotech crop in the Philippines. He then discussed the country’s experience with biotech corn, its substantial growth, and impact on local agriculture, as well as how the crop positively influenced smallholder incomes. In his discussion, Dr. Manalo also presented the potential of other approved biotech crops in the Philippines, including Bt cotton, Bt talong (eggplant), and Malusog Rice (Golden Rice).

Philippine Biosafety Regulations for GM and Gene-edited Crops

Mr. Reimond S. Corona, Project Senior Technical Specialist at the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), discussed biosafety regulations for genetically modified (GM) and gene-edited crops in the Philippines. He presented a timeline of Philippine biosafety regulations, highlighting the current processes and guidelines for evaluating and regulating GM crops, and emphasized the importance of risk assessment and the role of the Joint Assessment Group in safety evaluations. The presentation also covered the determination process for plant breeding innovations and the requirements for obtaining biosafety permits. 

Farmer Decision-Making Related to the Adoption of Biotech Corn in the Philippines

Dr. Clarisse M. Gonzalvo, Assistant Professor at the College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines Los Baños, then shared her research findings on the factors influencing the adoption of biotech corn among Filipino farmers following the 2015 Supreme Court ban on GMOs. Dr. Gonzalvo highlighted the complex mix of economic, informational, and personal factors that led many farmers to continue planting the crop despite legal uncertainty. She concluded that future policies should engage farmers as partners and support a just transition to sustainable farming practices.

Lessons and Insights from the First Philippine Bt Eggplant Case

Atty. Damcelle T. Cortes, Assistant Professor at the College of Public Affairs and Development in UP Los Baños, presented her study on the interaction between science and courts in the first Bt eggplant case in the Philippines. Atty. Cortes discussed the environmental lawsuit against Bt eggplant from 2012 to 2016, including the decisions from the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. She then shared the lessons and insight from her study, including the existing knowledge deficits in the courts and among scientists. Her presentation concluded that while communication is vital, it is not sufficient in itself. Legal frameworks and mechanisms must actively mediate the interaction between science and law, especially since courts are mandated to intervene when rights violations are alleged.

Stewardship for Innovation

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio, Biotech Consultant at CropLife Philippines, summarized the mission, vision, and comprehensive stewardship programs of CropLife Asia (CLA), a regional network representing the plant science industry. Ms. Panopio explained the importance of stewardship to protect innovation and how the stewardship lifecycle manages crop protection products from discovery to final waste disposal. She also shared CLA’s stewardship programs and initiatives, which focus on risk mitigation and responsible use.

Recommendations from the Courts

The workshop participants were tasked with answering questions on legal frameworks and judicial processes, as well as legal and procedural issues, and public policy and future directions. Their recommendations are summarized as follows:

  • To enhance the Judiciary's understanding of agricultural biotechnology and biotech crops, a strategy centered on expert-led training is crucial. This includes regular workshops, seminars, and immersive programs for judges and lawyers, supported by MCLE credit to encourage participation. Additional essential tools are the development of a Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence and the creation of a database of scientific experts for judicial consultation.

  • The Judiciary is vital in shaping agricultural biotechnology policy by protecting and tempering innovations through scientific evidence. The Writ of Kalikasan is a key legal tool that helps balance dangers and benefits to protect the environment. 

  • To accelerate the commercialization of biotech crops in the Philippines, regulatory and judicial bottlenecks must be streamlined. This requires amending outdated laws and harmonizing regulations to simplify lengthy approval processes. Simultaneously, the judicial process needs improvement through simplifying court access and enhancing the Judiciary's scientific appreciation via expert guidance and better technical training for legal professionals.

  • To ensure the scientifically sound application of the precautionary principle, the Supreme Court must revisit its rules and require further judicial training. Its use must evolve from simple prohibition to a calibrated, risk-based response that weighs the degree of potential harm. This approach allows for graduated relief—permitting activities under strict monitoring if risks are manageable—instead of absolute bans, while still acknowledging competent authorities.

  • To uphold environmental rights while leveraging science and technology for climate change and food security, Congress must enact a comprehensive national law on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety. This legal framework requires the rigorous updating of existing guidelines, dedicated funding for research, and a collaborative public campaign to align scientific, legal, and socio-ecological considerations.

  • To facilitate the commercialization of biotech crops, key legal and structural mechanisms are needed: enacting specific legislation to protect stakeholder rights and govern biotechnology products is essential. Furthermore, integrating science and biotechnology into the curriculum at all educational levels will foster a deeper understanding among the public and professionals. Finally, the government should provide subsidies to support the sector's growth.

The workshop concluded with a closing message from Mr. Cyrus Isles, Head of Public Affairs at the Crop Science Division of Bayer Agri Science, who emphasized the importance of informed decision-making and active dialogue between science and the judiciary.

Conclusion

The workshop, The Future of Food and Law, successfully underscored the pivotal role of the Philippine judiciary in shaping the direction of agricultural biotechnology, particularly in balancing innovation with environmental protection. The consensus among participants—from lawyers to scientists—is that the path forward requires deepening legal and scientific understanding through targeted training and the creation of a robust, comprehensive national biosafety framework. Crucially, this framework must adopt a more calibrated application of the precautionary principle, favoring risk mitigation over absolute prohibition where harm is manageable. By embracing these policy and procedural reforms—including streamlining regulatory bottlenecks and ensuring that the judiciary has access to scientific expertise—the Philippines can harness agri-biotech innovation to effectively address its pressing challenges of food security and sustainable development.

To learn more about agricultural biotechnology in the Philippines, visit isaaa.org



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