Onion and garlic traders who hoard supply to rig market prices will be sued by Congress for economic sabotage, according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday following reports that retail prices of onions remained high despite the ongoing harvest season and import of onions.
“We received information that these people are hoarding onion, and more recently even garlic, to create an artificial scarcity in supply and induce price increases,” said Romualdez, adding that the House Committee on Agriculture and Food will investigate and file appropriate charges.
The panel, chaired by Quezon City Rep. Mark Enverga, also mulls recommending to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the calibrated importation of onion and garlic to force criminals to unload their stocks and drive down prices.
The move, however, should not compromise local farmers, according to Romualdez.
The Speaker’s marching orders also behoove the panel to closely watch the prices of onion and garlic in the local markets.
“It is very important to ensure that any importation should consist of such quantity and be done well ahead of the harvest season to avoid any adverse effect on the livelihood of our local farmers,” Romualdez said.
Though the House Speaker did not mention the names of those involved, he disclosed receiving information that these people are hoarding onion, and more recently even garlic, to create an artificial scarcity in supply and induce price increases.
“People are still trying to recover from the pandemic. The last thing we need is an unreasonable rise in food prices,” Romualdez said.