Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. welcomed the decision of the Philippine Competition Commission to file charges against a dozen unscrupulous onion traders whose cartel-like activities adversely impacted consumers and the broader economy.

“I’m happy with the decision of PCC. It should be a sign to all smugglers and unscrupulous traders that we will go after all of them,” he said.

Following instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the PCC charged 12 companies and individuals for violating the Philippine Competition Act in their importation and trading of onions.

The investigation revealed that these traders colluded to allocate sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances among themselves. This manipulation allowed them to control more than half of the Philippines’ onion import volume, an act that constitutes an anti-competitive behavior punishable under the Competition Act.

In addition to facing legal charges, the implicated traders have been ordered to pay fines totaling PHP2.4 billion.

Although the collusion occurred before Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel assumed office in November, he expressed dismay at the traders’ actions. These traders, who were entrusted with importation permits by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), were responsible for ensuring a stable supply of onions, he noted.

“We can’t allow a few individuals, driven by an insatiable lust for money, to exploit our farmers and consumers or, worse, sabotage our economy,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.

“In addition to the fines and legal charges, the Department of Agriculture will explore the possibility of blacklisting these unscrupulous traders and potentially withdrawing the accreditation of cold storage facilities whose owners were complicit in this scheme,” he said. ###