By Manila Standard

AGAP Partylist Representative Nicanor ‘Nikki’ Briones has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the issue of high rice prices and establish a national council to effectively address smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering.

Briones expressed concern that the public has not felt the impact of the government’s measures to lower local rice prices, noting that only the prices of imported rice have decreased. Despite discussions with representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), and 1 Department of Agriculture (DA) about forming a council to tackle these issues, no concrete actions have been taken.

Farmers are puzzled as to why the prices of local rice have not declined despite the reduction in tariffs and the decrease in global market prices. Briones believes that these inconsistencies indicate that some unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the situation through illegal activities.

The lawmaker emphasized the need to punish those involved in cartels and rice manipulation. He cited the recent seizure of 21 containers of smuggled frozen mackerel by the Bureau of Customs as an example of the government’s capacity to act against such illegal activities. Briones, the principal author of the Anti-Economic Sabotage Act, stressed that the penalties for cartels, hoarders, and profiteers should include non-bailable imprisonment and life sentences.

The owners of Pacific Sealand Foods Corporation, the company responsible for the smuggled mackerel, have been charged but have failed to appear in court hearings. Briones has requested a hold departure order to prevent the suspects, Michael Chay and Maria Teresa Chay, from leaving the country.

Briones further emphasized the importance of establishing a national council to develop policies and create an enforcement group dedicated to apprehending, prosecuting, and penalizing smugglers, hoarders, and profiteers.

Published Date: January 27, 2025