Philippines competition watchdog charges six firms over 2022 onion price surge
The Philippine Competition Commission has filed administrative cases against six companies and their officers, accusing them of running an onion cartel that pushed prices to as high as P800 per kilogram in late 2022.
Investigators named Golden Shine International Freight Forwarders Corp., Tian Long Corp., La Reina Fresh Vegetables & Young Indoor Plants Inc., Yom Trading Corp., and the sole proprietors Mark Castro Ocampo and Nancy Collanta Rosal as participants in the alleged cartel. Officers Lilia Cruz, Eric Pabilona, Renato Francisco Jr. and Letty Baculando were also cited. The commission says the coordinated actions caused a sharp rise in onion costs across the market. Administrative charges have been formally lodged, signaling a crackdown on anti-competitive behavior in the agricultural sector.
Why it matters
It highlights regulatory action against price-fixing that affects everyday food costs for Filipino consumers.
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