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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider House asks gov't: Were charges filed vs. rice hoarders?

House asks gov't: Were charges filed vs. rice hoarders?

Published May 12, 2020 12:00 am
  By Ben Rosario The House of Representatives will require government to report on the filing or non-filing of criminal charges against 635 individuals arrested for price manipulation, hoarding, profiteering of basic goods at the height of the prevailing enhanced community quarantine last month. Nueva Ecija Rep. Ria Vergara (FILE PHOTO / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Nueva Ecija Rep. Ria Vergara
(FILE PHOTO / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) In a privilege speech, Nueva Ecija Rep. Ria Vergara said the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Justice are required to give Congress an update of the cases against the suspects who have exploited the national health emergency situation. “Hoarders, rice cartels and other price manipulators deserve (to be dealt with) the full force of the law for compromising not only the purchasing power of consumers during the crisis but for putting in danger the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk,” said Vergara, chairperson of the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges. Vergara expressed serious concern over the plight of Filipinos working in agriculture who belong to the poorest sectors of society. Earlier, Magsasaka Partylist Rep. Argel Cabatbat criticized the government’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of rice notwithstanding its earlier claims that local farmers are capable of producing enough to feed the whole population until December 2020. He said Agriculture Secretary William Dar proudly made the announcement that he supports the Rice Resiliency Project and Project ALPAS that are aimed at supporting local farmers. .”Ngunit sa mga pahayag na inilalabas nila ngayon, mukhang prayoridad na naman ang magsasaka ng ibang bansa, at iyong mga kababayan na naman natin sa sakahan ang lugi at magdurusa,” Cabatbat lamented. (But based on their recent pronouncements, it appears that farmers of other countries appear to be their priority while our compatriots involved in farming will be deprived and will suffer).
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