Metro Manila, Philippines — Five committees in the House of Representatives tried to fish out details from the agriculture department regarding rice smugglers and cartels in the country as lawmakers remain baffled on elevated prices of the grain.
RELATED: Rice driver of inflation uptick in October — PSA
Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo asked Agriculture Assistant Secretary Carlos Carag point blank if there were cartels in the rice sector.
“It seems like there is, ma’am, and probably not just with rice… It seems like there are certain sectors and individuals who are actually manipulating prices,” Carag told the first hearing of the House quinta panel called “ Murang Pagkain Super Committee” on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
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Five House committees join forces to form the "Murang Pagkain Super Committee."
Rep. Joey Salceda says this is "the most serious attempt of Congress to address the twin evils of smuggling and cartel as the fundamental basis for high food prices" | @JeloMantaring pic.twitter.com/QRiUwZnlHy
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) November 26, 2024
