House Speaker Martin Romualdez has threatened to have alleged hoarders of onions and other agricultural goods arrested if they refuse to participate in the congresssional inquiry on the soaring prices of the commodities.
This, as Romualdez met with Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials on Monday afternoon, Feb. 6 in the House of Representatives to discuss the seemingly persistent issue.
The meeting was held a few days after the House leader vowed tougher action against the hoarders, whose actions create supply bottlenecks, resulting to an increase in prices.
During the meeting, Romualdez asked the DA and DTI officials to help Congress identify these unscrupulous businessmen so they can be invited to the forthcoming House inquiry.
“If you know who these people are, let us know. We will invite all of them, if not, have the authorities arrest them,” the Leyte 1st district congressman said.
Romualdez said that while lawmakers recognize the right of businessmen under a regime of free trade to earn profit, this should not come at the expense and misery of the people.
“That’s where we draw the line here in Congress,” he said in a serious tone.
The Speaker said concerned agencies must ensure closer cooperation and get their acts together to ensure an effective campaign against hoarders and manipulative traders, noting that the agencies give different data on the situation.
“We are also giving budget to the DA and your agency so we want to make sure you are performing optimally. It doesn’t seem to be the case at the moment—but we want to get there," he said.
"Because at the end of the day, with the best data, the best feedback, we can make the best policies so we can avoid this situation were some unscrupulous personalities and cartels are taking advantage of the situation,” noted Romualdez.
The Speaker assured the officials from DA and DTI that they would have the full support of the House in waging an all-out war against hoarders and erring traders of onion and other agricultural products.
“We will help you, that’s why we’re here. You will not be powerless. We will use the power of the House. We will shine the light on them and then we will take them to account for this,” he told the officials present.
“We will ask our chairman (of the Committee on Agriculture) all the power and all the resources to get to the bottom of this,” Romualdez added, referring to Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga.
Among the DA officials present during the meeting were Mercedita Sombilla, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations; Kristine Evangelista, Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs; and James Layug, Assistant Secretary for DA Inspectorate and Enforcement.
Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, of the Consumer Protection Group; Werlina Lim, division chief, Price and Supply Division; lawyer Marco Maat, Deputy Department Legislative Liaison Officer (DDLLO); and Ma. Concepcion Simeon, Department Legislative Liaison Specialist (DLLS), were among the officials who represented DTI.