Gov’t forming teams vs rice price cap violators

MANILA, Philippines — The government will be running after violators of the price ceiling on rice imposed by Malacañang in an effort to control the spike in prices, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

“Nagbubuo na kami ng mga teams na iikot sa mga merkado para tingnan mismo ang iba’t ibang pangyayari at ito ay aming ginagawan ngayon ng pag aaral yung iba’t ibang  puwedeng ipataw na kaso sa mga hindi tatalima sa nais nating ipatupad na mga rules tungkol dito sa price ceiling,” Remulla told reporters Tuesday.

[We are now forming teams that will visit various markets, and we are currently studying the various possible cases that can be filed against those who do not comply with the mandated rice price ceiling.]

Remulla said cases that can be filed against the violators include economic sabotage, which is a non-bailable offense, and profiteering.

“Ang pinakamabigat diyan siyempre [The most serious offense that can be filed against violators] is economic sabotage, which is non-bailable, profiteering and other crimes that are against the interest of the public,” he said.

Remulla said the DOJ is also studying the supply side of the issue.

“Pinag aaralan natin ang supply side para alam natin kung saan galing ang mga taong ito, kung saan ang basehan sa pagpepresyo ng mataas at bakit ganoon ang nangyayari kasi dapat diyan maunawaan mo ang kinaugatan ng problema,” he said.

[We are studying the supply side to understand where these people are coming from, the basis for the high pricing, and why it’s happening that way because you should understand the root of the problem.]

Remulla added that they are monitoring the Congressional inquiries as part of gathering pieces of evidence. He said gathering evidence is not easy.

Executive Order No. 39, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Aug. 31, set the price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice.

The price ceiling took effect nationwide Tuesday.

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