If there is enough proof, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) plans to wrap up its probe into alleged onion cartels in the next two to three months.
PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, who assumed office four weeks ago, stated in a conference on Monday that the antitrust organization continued to gather information on alleged onion cartels.
“I mean, there’s no use in continuing if it’s going nowhere. But if the proof is there—and I have faith that they will be able to uncover proof—then it should happen in the next two to three months or so”
As onion prices rose as high as P700 per kilogram in some markets in Metro Manila in late 2022, the antitrust agency began looking into a potential cartel that was abusing its position of dominance in the sector.
In order to remedy this, the Department of Agriculture (DA) last month authorized the importation of 21,060 MT of onions. Importers have until January 27, 2023 for the shipments to arrive.
