House Speaker Martin Romualdez (PPAB)

Alarmed by the prevailing high price of rice, Speaker Martin Romualdez has told profiteers and price manipulators to clean up their act, or else face the wrath of the House of Representatives.

“Sa mga profiteers dyan, ‘yung mga unscrupulous traders and wholesalers (To the profiteers out there, to the unscrupulous traders and wholesalers), we are going after you. The House will go after you," Romualdez said Monday, Dec. 16 during the Office of the Speaker's Christmas party for reporters.

"We will not allow this abuse to happen, lalo na itong panahon ng Pasko (especially this Christmas ),” he declared.

The leader of the 307-strong chamber emphasized the government’s efforts to address high food prices. He cited recent tariff cuts on imported rice and the need to investigate why costs remain elevated despite sufficient supply. 

“The government is doing everything. Alam mo naman kaka-cut lang natin ng taripa para sa mga imported rice, from 35 to 15 percent. Ang dami-daming supply na naiimbak dyan pero bakit mataas pa rin ‘yung presyo?” Romualdez pointed out.

(We all know that tariff on imported rice had just been reduced from 35 to 15 percent. We keep adding to our supply, but why do prices remain high?)

“That is what we are trying to ferret out. Bakit nga ba hanggang ngayon hindi pa bumababa ang presyo ng bigas? (Why haven't rice prices gone down?)” he added.

Quinta-comm hailed

Romualdez highlighted the House quinta-commiittee (quinta-comm), also known as the Murang Pagkain Super Committee, as a key force in the fight against smuggling, price manipulation, and rising hunger. 

This “super committee” brings together five committees—Ways and Means, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Food, Social Services, and Food Security—to address weaknesses in government programs and ensure accountability for market abuses.

“Our aim is to bring food prices to reasonable levels. This is about ensuring affordable rice and quality food for every Filipino,” Romualdez said.

He said the quinta-comm is now working closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct inspections of warehouses suspected of hoarding rice and other staples.

House to look into utilities next?

While food security remains the House’s top priority, Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district congressman, revealed plans to expand the chamber’s focus to other critical concerns such as energy costs and water supply. 

“We will not stop there. Mind you, once we solve that, or at least we get the process going in bringing down the price of basic food commodities, we will even look at other basic needs of the people like power or energy cost. We will look at water. We will look at the very basic needs of the people because we are the House of the People,” he said.

The Speaker assured the public that the House’s mission is aligned with President Marcos' goal of improving lives.