MANILA – The House Committee on Agriculture and Food on Wednesday cited in contempt cold storage company Tian Long Corporation’s owner Eric Pabilona for his refusal to attend hearings on the possible onion hoarding and price manipulation.
Quezon Representative Wilfrido Mark Enverga, committee chair, directed the Secretariat to inform the Offices of Speaker Martin Romualdez and the House Sergeant-at-Arms that an order would be issued for Pabilona’s arrest and 30-day detention for being unable to justify his absences in previous hearings.
Pabilona was found to be a shareholder of Philippine Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association (PhilVIEVA) founded by Lilia Cruz, who is suspected to be involved in the smuggling of onions.
Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo earlier alleged that Cruz orchestrated the artificial spike in onion prices late last year until the beginning of 2023 through companies participating at every stage of the value chain.
"Cruz operates the biggest onion cartel in the country. She does this through an SEC-registered corporation called Philippine VIEVA Corporation," Quimbo said.
She said PhilVIEVA controlled the onion supply by cornering the importation of onions, which would force farmers to give up their goods for lower prices.
So far, Enverga said the inquiry has established that there have been clear violations in the mandatory accreditation of agricultural product warehouses; the issuance of Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) is no longer necessary; and onion prices will continue to range from PHP140 to PHP160 until December 2023.
Lawmakers directed cold storage facility owners to submit information on the withdrawals from their facilities, which SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said could help identify traders who are involved in hoarding. (PNA)
