After nine hearings on the alleged hoarding and price manipulation of onion and garlic, the House investigating panel ended up with the usual suspect, a businesswoman allegedly reigning over a well-oiled onion cartel.
The panel concluded its motu proprio inquiry on Wednesday.
The lawmaker noted that PhilVIEVA was involved in the onion industry “from head to toe,” being engaged in farming, trading, cold storage and trucking, and practically cornering the market. She pointed out that although Cruz has been blacklisted as an importer, she was able to continue importing onions through PhilVIEVA and alleged dummy corporations.
“How could the DA-BPI allow Cruz to import despite being blacklisted? Did someone play blind or connive with the DA-BPI to cheat the country?” Quimbo asked.
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