Smugglers, hoarders, and those who manipulate prices of basic commodities received a stern warning from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), who warned them that their days are numbered.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
In his one-hour and 11-minute speech, Marcos lamented that the acts of smuggling and hoarding have played a part in the sudden rise of prices of basic commodities such as sugar and onions in the early stage of his leadership.
Before the entire nation, he issued a stern warning against them that the government will run after them.
"Isa sa mga dahilan ng pagtaas ng presyo ay ang mga smuggler, mga hoarder at mga nagmamanipula ng presyo ng produktong agrikultural. Hinahabol at ihahabla natin sila (One the reasons of high prices are the smugglers, hoarders, and those who manipulate the prices of agricultural products. We are running after them, and we will file charges against them), the President said gaining applause from the audience inside the Plenary Hall of the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, July 24.
The Chief Executive stressed that what these erring individuals are doing are not in line with the government's goal to provide affordable food supply to Filipinos.
"Pandaraya ang kanilang ginagawa (What they are doing is fraud)," he said.
"Napapahamak hindi lamang ang mga magsasaka, kundi tayo na ring mga mamimili. Kaya hindi natin papayagan ang ganitong kalakaran (It is not just the farmers that are suffering but also the consumers. So we will not allow this kind of scheme)," he added.
Similar to what he said early this month when he ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation on syndicates behind the hoarding and smuggling of onions, Marcos has reiterated his stern warning to smugglers.
"Bilang na ang mga araw ng mga smugglers at hoarders na ‘yan (The days of those smugglers and hoarders are numbered)," Marcos said.