Philippine agriculture minister Emmanuel Pinol said he would for the designated by the department of justice (DOJ) 55 garlic importer issued a temporary ban, these importers and garlic monopoly operation of the interest groups in the Philippines.
At the hearing, the senate committee on agriculture and food President Cynthia Villar senator questioned plant industry (BPI) officials, why the justice department's 2014 report identified in these garlic importers belongs to monopoly interests, they still appear in the plant industry certification importer list.
The report was released after the senate investigation into garlic monopoly interests in 2014, although there were no shortages at the time, but prices still doubled to 300 pesos.
The department of justice's competition office (OFC) report also describes the way monopolies work, saying the group controls 75 per cent of the supply of garlic in the Philippines.
The list lists 55 garlic importers allegedly manipulated by four group members, one of whom is Leah Cruz, leader of the onion and garlic monopoly interest group.
The report notes that 24 importers belong to Cruz and five have continued to obtain import licenses over the past three years, Villar said.
These importers are Philippine Vieva group, Bee Jee trading company, Vieva company, Purple Moon trading company and RM Galvez.
Assistant Secretary of justice Secretary George Ortha II told the committee yesterday that the justice department's final investigation committee had forwarded the results of the 2014 investigation to the national bureau of investigation for further investigation.
(source: global fruit and vegetable network) [original title: Philippines: agricultural ministry will issue a temporary injunction against 55 garlic importers]
