“We will strengthen the laws, ensuring that those who sabotage our economy with price manipulation and smuggling face longer jail terms and harsher penalties. The days of leniency are over,” Romualdez said.
He made the statement yesterday in reaction to the recent identification of 12 key members of an onion cartel in the Philippines who are now facing a staggering P2.4 billion in fines as an offshoot of the House probe that the Speaker initiated.
According to the Enforcement Office of the Philippine Competition Commission, it had filed charges and recommended penalties amounting to P2.42 billion against 12 onion traders and importers for allegedly operating as a cartel since 2019.
“Economic sabotage is a crime of the highest order. The law demands life imprisonment for large-scale agricultural smuggling, and we will make sure those responsible face the full force of justice,” he added.
Denne historien er fra September 07, 2024-utgaven av The Philippine Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 07, 2024-utgaven av The Philippine Star.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ALI ind'l unit heating up cold storage business
The industrial real estate unit of property giant Ayala Land Inc is heating up its cold storage business as it looks to become a major player in the segment over the next five years.
Financial resources grow 10% as of July
The total resources of the country's financial system breached the P32-trillion level, posting a double-digit growth in the first seven months of the year, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.
Gov't urged to assist online sellers in BIR registration
Online entrepreneurs should be given proper assistance to comply with Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) registration requirements as the tax agency starts a crackdown on unregistered entities, an advocacy group said.
FLI diversifies into condotels
Filinvest Land Inc.(FLI) is adding the condotel business in its diverse project portfolio with the acquisition of outstanding shares in Fora Services Inc. (FOSI).
Maya, Grab team up for instant credit
Digital lender Maya Bank has partnered with Grab Philippines to offer instant credit services among eligible users, boosting Filipinos' access to financial solutions while integrating more convenience into their daily lives.
SMIC sees better H2 performance
Analysts see a stronger second half performance for the investment holding company of the Sy family.
SM Hotels taps TUV Rheinland for food safety, hygiene policies
SM Hotels and Conventions Corp.(SMHCC) has tapped testing service provider TUV Rheinland to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality for dining experiences.
Expanded regulatory power of GCG pushed
The Governance Commission on GOCCS (GCG) is expected to expand its regulatory powers once the 13-year-old law surrounding its mandate is amended.
Compliance woes stall Pag-IBIG home loan releases
The Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, is facing challenges in the release of its housing loans, with only a little over 50 percent of the target reached as of August.
Phl bond market slows in Q2
Philippine bond market growth moderated in the second quarter from the previous quarter due to lower government and corporate issuances, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
