Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on the government to ensure the strict enforcement of price freezes in areas declared under a state of calamity and intensify its crackdown on hoarders, profiteers, and cartels as the country braces for the impact of strong El Niño on food production and prices.
He urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), and the Price Coordinating Council to strengthen market monitoring, enforce applicable price freezes, and recommend the imposition of price ceilings when warranted under the law to protect consumers from unreasonable price increases.
“Hindi na dapat pagkakitaan ang nalalapit na kalamidad na magpapahirap pa lalo sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda na mamimili rin sa palengke. Sa panahon ng krisis, dapat protektado ang mga mamimili laban sa pagsasamantala,” he said.
Pangilinan pointed out that under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10623, the prices of basic necessities in areas declared under a state of calamity are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control, unless otherwise declared by the President.
The automatic price freeze remains effective for the duration of the condition that brought it about, but not more than 60 days. For basic necessities that are wholly imported and deregulated under existing laws, such as household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene, the maximum period is 15 days, taking into account existing inventory or supply levels.
The senator likewise urged implementing agencies and law enforcement authorities to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities engaged in hoarding, profiteering, and cartels that seek to exploit the threat of drought and water shortages to manipulate food supply and prices.
Under Section 5 of the Price Act, hoarding, profiteering, and cartels involving basic necessities and prime commodities are prohibited.
“I call on implementing agencies, local price councils, and law enforcement authorities to gather evidence and pursue criminal and administrative cases, where warranted, against those responsible for illegal price manipulation. Enforcement must not end with frontline sellers. We must target the very top,” said Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform.
“Ang panawagan ng taumbayan, ikulong ang mga mapagsamantala,” he added.
“Kung maliliit na tindero lamang ang hahabulin, walang saysay ito. Dapat nating panagutin ang mga malalaking negosyante, mga may-ari, at mga utak sa likod ng mga sindikatong sangkot sa hoarding at manipulasyon ng presyo,” he stressed.
Under Section 15 of the Price Act, illegal price manipulation is punishable by imprisonment of five to 15 years and a fine ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱2 million.
Section 16 imposes imprisonment of 1 to 10 years, a fine of ₱5,000 to ₱1 million, or both, at the court’s discretion, for violations of automatic price freezes or mandated price ceilings.
Pangilinan also warned that public officials who conspire in or knowingly conceal violations of the Price Act may be held accountable. Under Section 19, public officials or employees who commit such acts by reason of their office are deemed principally responsible for the violations and face the additional penalty of permanent disqualification from public office.