By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Sept. 6 (PNA) – Senate committee on agriculture chairperson Sen. Cynthia on Saturday welcomed the recommendation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute individuals behind the alleged ‘garlic cartel.’
”All those involved in the collusion to corner most of the garlic supply and to manipulate its prices should be held liable. They should be punished for burdening our people when the cost of garlic soared due to their illegal activities,” Villar said in a statement.
The DOJ has recommended the prosecution of private individuals and public officials behind the cartel that resulted to the staggering prices of garlic a month ago.
The lawmaker said enforcers, particularly National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), should dig deeper into the alleged garlic cartel to determine its other members, and if other agricultural projects are under a cartel.
The 32-page report released by the DOJ- Office for Competition established that there is no real competition going on in the garlic industry particularly in the importation side since businesswoman Lilia M. Cruz aka Leah Cruz and three other individuals are monopolizing the market by way of creation of dummy importers.
“This scheme stifled free competition among the legitimate and accredited garlic importers,” said the report.
It also found out that the lack of transparency and clear-cut guidelines in the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) permit system abetted the establishment of a garlic cartel, possibly with the collusion of some BPI and Department of Agriculture (DA) officials.
In particular, Cruz cornered at least 75 percent of the total garlic importation in the country by virtue of such import permits.
Last July 3, Villar’s committee conducted Senate hearing on the high prices of agricultural produce, particularly garlic which skyrocketed to PHP 300 per kilo.
The senator said she is happy her committee’s findings on the issue of price manipulation jibe with those of the DOJ and the NBI.
“I hope this could serve as warning to others who are engaged in this kind of modus operandi to stop their illicit operations or face charges. No stone should be left unturned because we are all here to protect all industry players especially our garlic farmers,” said Villar.
She said her committee also plans to review the mandate of the National Garlic Action Team (NGAT), which appears to be influenced by traders and cooperatives who are members of the organization. (PNA)