Hoarders of onion and garlic received a warning from House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday, for creating artificial scarcity in supply which can lead to price increases.

According to Romualdez, he already instructed the House Committee on Agriculture and Food to probe regarding it and suggest the filing of charges.

He said that even though there is an ongoing harvest season and the entry of imported onions, the retail price of these products remained high.

The House Speaker added that the House panel “will study the option of recommending to the President the calibrated importation of onion and garlic as means to force these unscrupulous individuals to unload their stocks and drive down the prices to alleviate the burden on the consumers," emphasizing that the importation should not be prejudicial to the welfare of the local farmers.