After a one-week "break", the House Committee on Agriculture and Food will resume tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 27, its motu proprio investigation on the alleged hoarding of agricultural products in the Philippines, particularly on onions.
Committee Chairman Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga confirmed that so-called "Sibuyas Queen (Onion Queen)", Lilia Cruz, has been once again invited to attend the proceedings.
"Yes...she's invited to attend," Enverga said in a text message Sunday, Feb. 27.
Asked if the panel plans to conduct an executive session with Cruz and the other invited resource persons, like it did during the previous hearing, Enverga said, " possible."
Cruz, also known as Leah Cruz, attended the first two hearings of the panel on the hoarding issue.
During these hearings, some of the congressmen conducting the inquiry have grown somewhat suspicious of Cruz--a self-described agri-preneur--in relation to price manipulation of agricultural goods such as onions.
This price manipulation through hoarding has resulted in outrageous and burdensome price spikes.
Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Nueva Ecija 3rd district Rep. Ria Vergara, and Enverga himself have raised their eyebrows on Cruz's statements during past hearings, including the information that she shared to the panel during a previous executive session.
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An executive session is closed to members of the media. It's a venue where invited resource persons can give more revealing data to lawmakers as opposed to a public hearing.
Cruz has been a player in the onion, garlic, and vegetable industry for over a decade. She is known by both farmers and middlemen who have attended the panel investigation.
Cruz has also been invited to agriculture-themed public hearings in years past, particularly by the Senate on garlic shortage.
During the Enverga panel's first hearing on the hoarding issue last Feb. 8, Cruz denied having any part in the alleged smuggling of onions and other agricultural products in her opening speech.
She had to be called out by the panel since the subject matter was about agricultural hoarding and not smuggling.
The second hearing was held a week later.