PCC executive director grilled over failure to explain rice prices

MANILA — Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin moved to cite Kenneth V. Tanate, Executive Director of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), in contempt during the House hearing on Tuesday evening, accusing him of “repeatedly lying and failing to do their job” regarding the ongoing investigation into rice prices.

The motion came after Tanate failed to answer Garin’s questions on the impact of currency fluctuations on rice prices.

“Hindi pupuwedeng hindi seryosohin ang pagbababa ng presyo ng pagkain,” she reasoned out.

Garin raised concerns about the PCC’s lack of response to basic questions, including the expected reduction in rice prices.

“Mr. Chair, it’s very simple and if PCC refuses to answer us on this matter it gives me the impression that they are not really sincere in their job,” Garin said. “Because Mr. Chair even with a simple computation eh hindi masagot ng PCC then we’re doomed. Because this is the very agency that is supposed to take care of this pricing.”

She pointed out the failure to translate dollar-to-peso fluctuations into tangible effects on rice costs, citing a statement from the Department of Finance (DOF) that predicted a 6-peso reduction in rice prices following tax cuts.

“Doon sa nirelease ng DOF na 6 na piso. Ang tanong ko, can you translate that in pesos. Para kung yung anim na piso bababa ba siya by how many pesos?,” she emphasized. “Ang tanong ko is simple eh theoretical eh. Sinabi ng DOF, pag binaba ang buwis ng 20% ang tao ay makakramdam ng bawas na 6 na piso bawat kilo ng bigas… Ang sabi naman ng DA ang isang nakikitang punto ang rason ay ang pagtaas ng dollars between 56 to 58 pesos… Ano ba ang impact ng dalawang piso na yun sa presyo ng bigas?”

Tanate admitted that he did not have the information to answer at that moment, which further fueled Garin’s frustration.

The lawmaker also questioned the PCC’s commitment to addressing food price issues, stating, “We cannot be enablers of people taking advantage of the situation depriving our people of the right to good nutrition.”

Tanate attempted to clarify that the PCC is doing its utmost to cooperate fully, but said they're lacking some of the necessary information. “We’ve dedicated our time to support this committee, Mr. Chair, and are actually pouring our resources to assist this committee to provide technical assistance. So Mr. Chair talagang I’m honest to my words. Wala lang talaga akong information ngayon,” he explained.

After a brief exchange, Tanate assured the committee that the PCC would cooperate fully moving forward. 

This prompted Garin to withdraw her motion for contempt. “I withdraw my motion. However, Mr. Chair, let me make it clear that we in government have the moral duty and obligation to our people,” Garin stated.

Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, chairperson of the Committee in Agriculture and Food, urged Tanate to provide the necessary information in future hearings, with the PCC Executive Director promising to deliver the required data promptly.

Despite the withdrawal, Garin reiterated her concerns over the PCC’s handling of the rice price issue, adding, “To the PCC family, seryosohin niyo naman ang trabaho niyo. This is not the first time that we have been hearing a lot of complaints because you seemed to be very passive in your tasks, duties and obligations. Sana sa mga darating pang araw o sa mga darating pang hearinngs, put forward proposals [and] information.”