Jovee Marie N. de la Cruz.

RICE importers remained under scrutiny as the House Quinta Committee, also known as the Murang Pagkain Super-Comm, continued its investigation into their role in sustaining high rice prices despite a reported landed cost of P36 per kilo.

During Tuesday’s hearing of the joint panel, chaired by Albay Rep. Jose Clemente “Joey” Sarte Salceda, lawmakers called for a deeper investigation into possible collusion and price manipulation in the rice industry.

Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo questioned the assertion that importers were not contributing to high prices, citing earlier findings by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, regarding the onion cartel.

“Let’s just not dismiss hastily the possibility na merong cartel, may collusion, may magic na nangyayari sa presyo ng bigas at may pagsasabwatan na ang pwedeng involved diyan ay ang mga importers,” Quimbo said.

“Kung P36 ang landed cost ng importers, bakit hindi natin nakikita ang P36 rice in the market? That’s the mystery. Something is happening,” she pointed out.

Quimbo, acting chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, noted similarities between rising rice prices and the onion cartel, where importers and traders manipulated supply by controlling both local and imported stocks.

A representative of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) reported ongoing investigations into rice importers operating in areas with significant imports but stagnant or high prices.

“We see the areas with deficiencies are also the places with high imports and the prices are not moving down, so we look into those importers in those areas,” PCC Enforcement Office Director Christian Loren delos Santos explained.

He confirmed that some importers have been identified but refrained from naming them while inquiries continue.

Quimbo pressed for more action, pointing out that the expectation of cheaper rice from imports has not materialized.

“Doon sa mga lugar kung saan maraming rice importers ay natuklasan ninyo ay doon din ang mga presyo ng bigas ay hindi bumababa,” she said.

Quimbo warned that importers might be leveraging both imported and local rice stocks to control prices, echoing patterns seen in the onion cartel investigation.

“If the importing entity is also the one that purchases the local produce, then they now control both local and imported, which was what we found with the onion cartel,” she said.

Bulacan Rep. Tina Pancho agreed, as she highlighted the cascading effects of the pricing decisions of importers on the supply chain.

“I agree with the Hon. Stella Quimbo that we cannot disregard the participation of importers kung bakit nagkaroon tayo ng price increase,” Pancho said.

“Ang importer ang magdi-dictate ng price,” Pancho added, explaining how costs from importers pass through wholesalers, retailers, and ultimately to consumers.

But Salceda pointed out that imported rice only accounts for 22 percent of the country’s supply, compared to 78 percent sourced locally.

“How can 22 percent dictate 78 percent? Then it’s not the importer anymore,” Salceda said.

He, nevertheless, acknowledged the need for thorough scrutiny of the financial and operational practices of rice importers.

Salceda disclosed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) are investigating rice importers to uncover any illegal profits or undeclared earnings.

Published Date: January 29, 2025