House leaders back proposed mega task force vs rice cartels

HOUSE leaders expressed support for the proposed creation of a mega task force to run after market manipulators and bring down the prices of rice in the country.

In a press briefing Monday, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre,  Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V agreed that the task force, which Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez proposed, is needed to hold to account those who engage in cartel-like activities.

“Tama naman po yung sinabi ni Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Ortega said, adding that the task force will bring to justice smugglers whose hoarding activities raise prices of basic goods  artificially.

Khonghun called on his fellow lawmakers to make appropriate adjustments in the law. 

“Kailangan nga i-consider na yung price manipulation (na) maging heinous crime… Marami tayong mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na yung mahihirap, na naaapektuhan dahil sa pagsasamantala ng mga iilang mga negosyante, lalong lalo na sa presyo ng bigas,” he said.

Acidre said the Quinta Committee has only conducted a few hearings but was already able to uncover the extent of manipulation, based on the disparity between the supply of rice and its price in the local markets.

“Wala ho tayong kakulangan sa supply. Maayos ang importation natin, pero hindi bumababa ang presyo (ng bigas). Hindi pa rin natin ma-hold accountable kung sino man ang dapat na may sala. I think the call of the Speaker is not only timely but it is urgent. Kailangan talaga natin panagutin. Kasi habang wala tayong nakikita na mananagot ay patuloy na … people will take advantage of the situation,” Acidre said.

He thanked the Speaker for raising the suggestion. 

“Kailangan natin ng mas malakas na tugon, and we thank the Speaker for raising this suggestion. I’d like to believe that Congress, especially those monitoring the Quinta Comm would really be behind the Speaker in supporting this proposal,” Acidre said.