Nagbabala si Speaker Martin Romualdez sa mga sangkot sa smuggling at price manipulation ng mga batayang bilihin, na naghihintay sa kanila ang malaking multa at matagal na panahon ng pagkakakulong.
Kasabay ito ng pagkilala sa ginawang pagpapataw ng reklamo at multa ng Enforcement Office ng Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), laban sa 12 indibidwal na sangkot sa agricultural smuggling na itinuturing na economic sabotage.
“Economic sabotage is a crime of the highest order. The law demands life imprisonment for large-scale agricultural smuggling, and we will make sure those responsible face the full force of justice. These cartels are not just committing fraud; they are endangering our food security and destroying the livelihoods of our farmers,” saan ni Speaker Romualdez.
Nahaharap ngayon sa multang P2.4 billion ang 12 onion traders at importers dahil sa operasyon ng cartel mula pa 2019.
Kabilang dito ang Philippine Vieva Group of Companies Inc., Tian Long Corp., La Reina Fresh Vegetables and Young Indoor Plants Inc., Yom Trading Corp., at Golden Shine International Freight Forwarders Corp na pawang mga kompanyang inimbestigahan na ng Kamara kasunod ng pagsipa ng presyo ng sibuyas sa merkado ng hanggang P700 kada kilo.
Paalala ni Romualdez, na pauna pa lang ang multa dahil mahaharap din sila sa habang buhay na pagkakakulong salig sa nakasaad sa Republic Act No. 10845 o Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.
“The imposition of P2.4 billion in fines is just the opening salvo. Smugglers and price manipulators will face not just financial repercussions, but serious jail time. We will not tolerate the sabotage of our economy and the exploitation of Filipino families,” sabi pa niya.
Nangako naman ang House leader na patuloy na makiki pag ugnayan sa Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs, para tuluyang mabuwag at mapanagot ang mga sangkot sa iligal na gawain.
“We are fully committed to wiping out these cartels. This is not just about onions—this is about safeguarding our food supply and ensuring that every Filipino has access to affordable agricultural products. Today, we struck a blow against one cartel, but this is only the beginning.” sabi pa niya | ulat ni Kathleen Forbes
