CHARGES will be filed against 12 onion importers and traders engaged in anti-competitive practices, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said.
The filing of charges is in response to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to go after smugglers, hoarders and those engaged in anti-competitive practices, the PCC said.
It added that the 12 companies and individuals engaged in onion importation and trading violated the Philippine Competition Act (PCA).
The companies and individuals agreed to allocate the supply of onions in the country, the PCC said.
However, “the respondents assigned among themselves sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) issued by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) and distributed the volume of onion allowed for importation,” the Presidential Communications Office said, quoting PCC.
This led to majority of the volume of onions imported into the Philippines being effectively controlled by the respondents, the PCC added.
This resulted in the importers and traders not competing with each other and failing to independently decide on their policies.
A total fine of P2.4 billion has been recommended to be imposed on the respondents. (GMA Integrated News)
