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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Not at the expense of our poor kababayans': Solons warn 'abusive' traders over soaring prices of goods

'Not at the expense of our poor kababayans': Solons warn 'abusive' traders over soaring prices of goods

Published Apr 25, 2024 05:44 am

At A Glance

  • Members of the House of Representatives have issued a stern warning to "abusive" businessmen following the directive of Speaker Martin Romualdez to investigate the price spike on basic goods.

Rice.jpeg(MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the House of Representatives have issued a stern warning to “abusive” businessmen following the directive of Speaker Martin Romualdez to investigate the price spike on basic goods.

In a joint statement on Thursday, April 25, House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun underscored that the Speaker’s pronouncements on holding a probe were serious and should serve as a warning to businessmen engaged in cartels in the agriculture sector.

“Please don’t do it, not at the expense of our poor kababayans (countrymen). Otherwise, we will be forced to implement the full force of the law,” he said.

Khongun warned that if “worse comes to worst”, the House may pursue the filing of economic sabotage charges against the perpetrators. Such offense is non-bailable.

On Wednesday, Romualdez ordered the House Committee on Agriculture and Food to hold an inquiry in aid of legislation amid the "widening gap" between farm gate and retail prices of basic goods such as rice.

Taguig 2nd district Rep. Pammy Zamora noted that with the continued price hikes, government intervention becomes necessary to prevent abuses.

“We have to protect the interest of our consumers, especially those in the impoverished sector who could hardly make ends meet for their families,” said Zamora.

“Our request is for them (traders) not to make it too costly that it will be unbearable to our fellow Filipinos,” she added.

In the same statement, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega advised these “abusive” traders to grow conscience for impoverished Filipinos.

“Let’s not victimize these people who are in a hand-to-mouth situation,” Ortega said. “Let’s make life easier by giving them affordable prices”.

The lawmaker pointed out that food is an essential part of everyone’s being, especially the poorest of the poor who need nourishment the most.

“Imagine they have to grapple with the almost never-ending inflation, yet our business sector still takes advantage of them. This shouldn’t be,” he noted.

The agriculture and food panel is expected to carry out the inquiry upon the resumption of sessions next week.

Related Tags

BASIC GOODS House of Representatives price hikes
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