Current Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and several Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) officials are under investigation by the office of the Ombudsman for graft for their alleged involvement in the garlic cartel that spiked prices in 2014.
In a press statement on Wednesday, the Office of the Ombudsman said their Field Investigation Office (FIO) filed a graft complaint-affidavit against Alcala and four (4) BPI officials: former BPI director Clarito Barron, Quarantine Chief Merle Palacpac, Jesus Bajacan and former Quarantine chief Luben Marasigan. Included in the complaint are Lilia Cruz and the incorporators of the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of the Philippines Inc (VIEVA).
The FIO also included in the graft complaint alleged dummy importer Lilia Cruz, who headed the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of the Philippines, Inc. (VIEVA), which is allegedly behind the garlic cartel that spiked garlic prices from P80 to as much as P300 per kilo in 2014. She allegedly used dummies to collect multiple clearances, allowing her to corner a large chunk of the country's garlic supply.
In its complaint, the FIO said from January to July 2014, prices of garlic spiked, which compelled the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation into possible profiteering, hoarding and cartel-like activities.
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