Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and two party-list legislators on Monday visited two markets in Quezon City to assess the spikes in the prices of onion and rice.
Romualdez and ACT-CIS Reps. Erwin Tulfo and Edvic Yap went to Nepa Q-Mart in Cubao, and Commonwealth Market to conduct surprise market visits to assess the prices of rice and other basic commodities.
“We came here due to reports that prices are rising again and to ask onion, rice and garlic vender what caused the increase,” Romualdez told reporters.
He said the House is treating the fight against hoarders and price manipulators “very seriously.”
“To the hoarders, I hope you will not hide your stocks. Open up your warehouses,” the House leader said. “They should not abuse our seeming leniency because will go hammer and tongs against them.”
He said the market inspection is also a warning to government agencies to do their jobs.
Romualdez also noted that the House is also closely monitoring global market developments that could affect prices and supplies in the local market.
The Speaker earlier directed the officials of the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI) to explain to legislators how hoarders managed to reemerge and once again manipulate the price of onions.