File charges vs 10 blacklisted agri importers–Pimentel
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Wednesday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to file criminal charges against companies it blacklisted for smuggling and price manipulation.
“While blacklisting the 10 companies involved in illegal agricultural trade is commendable, criminal charges should be filed to ensure accountability,” the senator said in a statement.
“It’s not enough to blacklist them. Those guilty must be punished. These companies must be held accountable for their actions,” he added.
The DA, through its Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), blacklisted the 10 companies for engaging in smuggling and other unlawful agricultural trade practices.
Read: DA blacklists 10 firms for illegal trade acts
The blacklisted companies include LVM Grains Enterprises, Kysse Lishh Consumer Goods Trading, JRA and Pearl Enterprises Inc., Betron Consumer Goods Trading, RCNN Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, and Golden Rays Consumer Goods Trading.
Of the 10, Kysse Lishh, RCNN, Chastity Consumer Goods Trading and Golden Rays are not licensed importers.
Additionally, La Reina Fresh Vegetables Young Indoor Plants Inc., Vegefru Producing Store and Yom Trading Corp., all licensed importers, were blacklisted for engaging in anti-competitive practices such as price manipulation and collusion.
“Make an example of these 10 companies so others will not imitate them. This, however, will only be meaningful if the wheels of justice move swiftly,” Pimentel stressed.
“This is a clear message that the government is serious about protecting our farmers and consumers from unscrupulous traders,” he stressed, adding that the DA should continue its crackdown on agricultural smuggling and other illegal activities.
According to DA, blacklisting firms engaging in illegal trading is part of the agency’s move to combat agricultural smuggling, profiteering, hoarding and cartel activities, which can “drive up food prices and destabilize the local market.”
