President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered an investigation
into the smuggling of onion and other agricultural products, calling
such acts tantamount to economic sabotage.
“I have just given instructions to the DOJ and the NBI to initiate an
investigation into the hoarding, smuggling (and) price fixing of
agricultural commodities. And this is stemming from the hearing that
we’ve conducted in the House, specifically by Congresswoman Stella
Quimbo and the findings that they came up with,” Mr. Marcos said.
In a memorandum to the President, Quimbo, who led the Committee on
Agriculture and Food hearings at the House of Representatives, said
substantial evidence has been uncovered pointing to the existence of
an onion cartel as she shed light on the causes behind the surge in
onion prices in 2022.
She said that the cartel, operating primarily through the Philippine
VIEVA Group of Companies Inc. (PVGCI), has engaged in various
activities including farming, importation, local trading, warehousing,
and logistics.
President Marcos emphasized the significance of these findings as
sufficient grounds to initiate an investigation, citing the need to
address what amounts to economic sabotage.
“And that is why we are going to be very, very strict about finding
these people and making sure that they are brought to justice,” Mr.
Marcos said.
The hearings highlighted the sharp increase in onion prices starting
in July 2022, attributed to a perceived shortage of supply.
However, data from the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant
Industry revealed only a modest shortage of approximately 7.56 percent
in 2022, which would not justify the significant inflation rates
reaching 87 percent in December of that year.