HOUSE PANEL BACKS PCC CHARGE VS ONION CARTEL AND CALLS FOR CRMINAL PROSECUTION

Representative  Mark Enverga of the 1st District of Quezon, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, has lauded the Enforcement Office of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) for filing charges and recommending P2.42 billion in penalties against 12 onion traders and importers accused of conspiring to manipulate onion prices from 2019 to 2023.

Rep. Enverga said that the committee commends the PCC’s Enforcement Office for their thorough investigation and for filing charges against those responsible for manipulating the onion market to the detriment of both our farmers and consumerrs.

Enverga added that this is a critical step toward ensuring that those who exploit our markets and take advantage of our farmers are held fully accountable.

(Charges were filed against companies including the Philippine Vieva Group of Companies Inc., Tian Long Corp., La Reina Fresh Vegetables, and Yom Trading Corp., as well as several individuals, notably alleged “onion queen” Lilia “Leah” Cruz, who was also previously implicated in a 2014 garlic smuggling case.)

Chairman Enverga urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the onion cartel.

The PCC’s findings stem from the inquiry conducted last year by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food into the surge in onion prices.

THIS IS TERENCE MORDENO GRANA REPORTING FOR AFP COMMUNITY NEWS, ONE AFP FOR STRONGER PHILIPPINES

Romer House panel backs PCC charges vs onion cartel, calls for criminal prosecution

“__We call on the DOJ and DA to take this further by filing criminal charges, at a proper time and bring these individuals to justice,” he said.__

Enverga expressed his gratitude to Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo for her pivotal role in uncovering the connections among the drug cartel members during the House probe.

"We thank Congresswoman Quimbo for her outstanding work in uncovering the truth behind the onion cartel. Her persistence in connecting the dots between the individuals and companies involved has been invaluable," Enverga said.

Enverga also thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for his leadership and resolve in directing the committee to investigate the onion cartel. 

“It was Speaker Romualdez’s clear directive that enabled this thorough probe into the onion crisis. His leadership continues to ensure that we hold accountable those who harm our farmers and consumers,” Enverga said. 

In 2022, onion prices skyrocketed to as much as P700 per kilo, prompting the government to approve imports in an effort to increase supply and bring prices down. (END)