180 tampered weighing scales seized

MANILA, Philippines—A surprise inspection conducted at two markets in Quezon City on Tuesday led to the seizure of 180 weighing scales found to have been tampered with.

City treasurer Edgar Villanueva said 132 weighing scales were confiscated from vendors at the Commonwealth market while 48 more were seized at the nearby Litex wet and dry market.

“This is not only for tax collection purposes. What we are doing right now is to ensure the protection of residents against unscrupulous traders,” he added.

The joint operation conducted by the city treasury and market development and administration units was ordered by Mayor Herbert Bautista.

The weighing scales that were seized were found to have been tampered—cheating buyers of about 300 grams out of one kilo.

Assistant city treasurer Arvin Gotladera, meanwhile, cautioned market-goers to be extra-cautious so that they do not end up being cheated by vendors.

He explained that an adjustment of 0.05 grams for a five-kilo purchase is allowed but for a one-kilo purchase, the weighing scale must be exact in its measurement.

“Erring businessmen are not tolerated in our markets,” he said.

There was no word, however, on whether the owners of the tampered weighing scales would be charged.

The team of inspectors were accompanied by operatives of the Quezon City Police District and the local price coordinating council.

Villanueva said weighing scales that were not properly calibrated were very vulnerable to manipulation.

To catch traders using defective scales, the city government will use tamperproof sealing equipment and gadgets to calibrate weighing scales and other measuring instruments.

The Quezon City Revenue Code requires that “instruments of weights and measures used in business should be tested and sealed annually.”

There are eight public and 50 private markets in the city.