MANILA, Philippines -- Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has asked the National Bureau of Investigation to pry into all rice import agreements since he was reappointed in October 2006, even as he dismissed unsubstantiated reports of his father-in-law's alleged involvement in the rice trading business.

In a briefing, Yap denied insinuations by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who had earlier asked him to disclose if his father-in-law, Jimmy Gaw, was involved in the rice trade.

According to Yap, Gaw was not and has never been involved in rice retailing nor has he sought an import license or permit from the NFA.

"It's sad for me and my family that a senior statesman like Senator Pimentel can make such an allegation that casts aspersion on the reputation of a low-key private citizen like my father-in-law without any evidence to back him up," he added.

This NBI probe, he said, will "give us a clear picture of who are really involved in the rice business, who has been given a permit, what volumes, when these arrived, where these were stored and how these were disposed."

He added that this move will also help the Department of Agriculture facilitate its re-accreditation process for all NFA grains traders and millers and find out who qualified to have their licenses renewed.

Yap said that should the NBI find clear proof that his father-in-law was not involved in rice trading, Pimentel] "should be gracious enough, as a statesman and as a respected politician of our country, to offer apologies to my father-in-law."

He said his father-in-law started as a small-business man with a textile shop on Soler Street in Manila and was later able to put up the Uniwide Warehouse Club.

He added that it was not fair to ruin the reputation of a person who has done nothing but to work, give job opportunities to other people, pay his taxes and contribute to the country's economy.

"Even my father is not involved in the rice trading business. I've always had a rule (that) no members of my family or even extended family, are allowed to do business in any government agencies I am involved in," he said.

Yap pointed out that the public and legislators should focus more on the real state of Philippine agriculture and the measures that can be implemented to increase local rice production.