119 face charges for garlic overpricing

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 119 individuals, including former government officials, will face raps for the steep increase of garlic prices last year.

 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima identified Clarito Barron, former director of the Bureau of Plant and Industries (BPI), for violating Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Presidential Decree 1829 or Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders.

 

Barron allegedly received P240,000 from an individual named Lilibeth Valenzuela during his term in exchange for import permits.

 

Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of the Philippines (VIEVA) will also face charges for violating RA 3019. The group was issued an import permit even though it was not qualified, according to De Lima.

 

Lilia Cruz, also known as Leah Cruz, who is the head of VIEVA will face a case for using a fictitious name.

 

BPI officials Merle Bautista Palacpac, officer-in-charge of the Plant Quarantine Service, and Luben Quijano Marasagin, former chief of the Plant Quarantine Service of the agency, are also among the 119 individuals that will face charges in the Ombudsman.

 

De Lima explained that although there was a shortage in garlic supply last year, the main cause of price increase was due to a single group that corners supply and dictates prices.

 

President Benigno Aquino III earlier ordered the Department of Justice to immediately develop a case against the cartel responsible for garlic overpricing.

 

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