The Department of Justice (DOJ) will form teams that will conduct stringent monitoring to check the compliance of retailers in local markets with the imposed rice price cap, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla said on Tuesday, September 6.
"Bubuo pa kami ng team. Iikot din 'yan sa merkado para tingnan mismo ang mga pangyayari sa iba't ibang lugar," Remulla said during a press conference.
He said cases will be filed against those who will be caught not following the imposed price ceiling.
"Ang pinaka-mabigat diyan sympre, enonomic sabotage. Tapos profiteering and other crimes against the commercial interest," Remulla said.
The DOJ Secretary also mentioned that they are studying the market situation to determine the reason behind the spike in rice prices.
"Kasi dapat diyan, maunawaan mo ang kinaugatan ng problema eh. Talagang marami diyan ay nanggaling sa profitering side, kahit hindi tama, ginagawa pa rin," he added.
On Tuesday, the imposed price cap for regular and well-milled rice took effect.
Based on Executive Order (EO) No. 39 signed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., retailers in local markets nationwide must sell regular-milled rice at ₱41 per kilo and well-milled rice at ₱45 per kilo.
Marcos earlier assured that the imposed rice price ceiling is only temporary and this may lifted eventually once there is enough rice supply.
On the first day of implementation, Interior Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos Jr. led the inspection and monitoring of rice prices in the local markets in Quezon City.
