EXECUTIVE Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the administration of President Marcos Jr. remains committed in running after alleged hoarders and smugglers behind the price manipulation of onions last year.
In a GMA News Online article, Bersamin was quoted as saying that Malacañang is “earnest about hoarders. Matagal na namin tinututukan iyan kasi hindi maganda sa taumbayan (We’ve been monitoring this since it’s not good for the public).”
The statement was made after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) profiteering and hoarding charges against six personalities, which supposedly includes government officials and private persons, for their alleged involvement in the 2022 onion price manipulation mess.
Remulla, however, refused to identify the respondents pending the DOJ’s review of the NBI complaints.
Onion prices skyrocketed last year between P500 to P720 per kilo in local markets nationwide. The prices peaked during the Christmas and 2023 New Year’s celebrations.
Bersamin referred questions on the details of the cases to the DOJ. “It will be the investigating offices or prosecuting arm of government na ang magiging main authoritative diyan (who will be the main authority regarding that),” the Palace official told the online news agency in a phone interview.
President Marcos Jr. has vowed to go after smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products, especially onion and rice, during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July.
He has warned that the full force of the law would be meted out against hoarders and smugglers, whom he said could be charged with economic sabotage.
The President had also vowed to unmask and put an end to the illegal activities of cartels involved in the hoarding, smuggling and price manipulation of agricultural goods.
In his visit to Zamboanga City on Tuesday, Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to address smuggling and hoarding, especially of rice, which he stressed adversely affects not just the agricultural sector but also adds to the suffering of the people. — Jocelyn Montemayor
