Romualdez: Tough prison terms await smugglers, price manipulators

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

FILE: A vendor removes the excess skin of red onions at a stall inside the Balintawak Market in Quezon City on Thursday (Nov. 17, 2022). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday issued a stern warning to agricultural cartels, vowing that those involved in price manipulation and the smuggling of essential goods — acts considered economic sabotage — will face not only massive fines but will also be thrown behind bars.

“Economic sabotage is a crime of the highest order. The law demands life imprisonment for large-scale agricultural smuggling, and we will make sure those responsible face the full force of justice. These cartels are not just committing fraud, they are endangering our food security and destroying the livelihoods of our farmers,” Romualdez said in a news release.

The House leader issued the warning after the Enforcement Office of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) filed charges and recommended penalties amounting to PHP2.42 billion against 12 onion traders and importers for allegedly operating as a cartel since 2019.

Named respondents by the PCC were Philippine Vieva Group of Companies Inc., Tian Long Corp., La Reina Fresh Vegetables and Young Indoor Plants Inc., Yom Trading Corp., Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of the Philippines, and Golden Shine International Freight Forwarders Corp.

PCC said the individual respondents are Vieva vice president and Golden Shine president Lilia Cruz; Vieva board member, Golden Shine corporate executive officer and Tian Long corporate secretary Eric Pabilona; Vieva board member, La Reina president and Yom Trading chair and president Renato Francisco Jr.

The alleged cartel members reportedly orchestrated large-scale smuggling and hoarding operations, which artificially inflated onion prices to record highs, squeezing consumers and devastating local farmers.

“The imposition of PHP2.4 billion in fines is just the opening salvo. Smugglers and price manipulators will face not just financial repercussions, but serious jail time. We will not tolerate the sabotage of our economy and the exploitation of Filipino families,” Romualdez said.

Republic Act No. 10845, or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which classifies large-scale smuggling as economic sabotage, a non-bailable offense carrying life imprisonment, alongside asset forfeitures and hefty fines.

“The law is clear. Those who manipulate agricultural prices will face long prison terms. Smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation will receive the toughest penalties,” he stressed.

Romualdez assured the public that the House of Representatives will maintain its aggressive stance against agricultural cartels, in close collaboration with agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs, to prevent a recurrence of these illegal activities.

“The House will not stop until these cartels are dismantled and those responsible for hurting our farmers and consumers are behind bars. This is a fight we will win — for the farmers, for the consumers, and for the entire Filipino nation,” he said.