Liberty Flour admits SEC disclosure lapses on insider deals
Liberty Flour Mills Inc., a veteran food manufacturer, has been flagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to disclose years of transactions with a distributor controlled by its own directors, according to regulatory filings.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, LFM admitted that it failed to file Material Related Party Transaction Reports from 2020 to 2024. These reports concerned business dealings with Parity Values Inc., one of Liberty Flour’s three primary distributors.
The admission follows a “show cause” order issued by the SEC on Feb. 2, which demanded the company explain why it should not be penalized for the reporting lapses.
William L. Ang, Corporate Secretary for Liberty Flour, said the failure was an oversight.
He stated that management acknowledges the commission’s findings regarding the missing advisement reports and committed to timely submissions moving forward.
Ang defended the underlying business, noting that Parity Values purchases flour on a near-daily basis at arm’s-length prices. He added that the pricing structure was supported by a 2020 study by SGV & Co. and is scheduled for a fresh review in 2026.
The regulatory scrutiny comes amid deepening rift within the company’s leadership. The non-disclosure was highlighted following a formal complaint by former President and Director Sandra Uy and former Assistant Treasurer Stella Uy.
Represented by Bernaldo Po Presto & Poblador Law Office, the former executives petitioned the SEC to investigate ₱804.7 million in uncollected receivables due from Parity Values.