DTI to pursue profiteering case against flour millers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said they will still pursue the profiteering case against flour millers even if the DTI National Capital Region (NCR) dismisses the complaint.

“Definitely we will pursue this case,” Trade Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya said in an interview.

The millers have asked the DTI NCR to drop the case because of a technicality. The Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL) refused to elaborate on their pleading.

“If in case it will be dismissed we will file it again. It will not be considered double jeopardy,” Maglaya said. The decision of the adjudication committee is expected to come out within the week.

PAFMIL said there is still no schedule for the next hearing. The first hearing was on June 30.

After the first hearing, Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection executive director Victorio Dimagiba said that they will be dropping the profiteering complaint against Delta Milling Industries Inc. after the company agreed to sell flour at P650 per bag.

“This is the first time a profiteering case is lodged against manufacturers. This is a landmark case. We are happy with the way things are going,” Dimagiba said. If proven guilty of profiteering the firms will face fines of up to P2 million.

The other respondents were Universal Robina Corp., San Miguel MillsMorning Star Milling Corp., Phil. Foremost Milling Corp., General Milling Corp., Liberty Flour Mills, Pilmico Foods Corp., Phil Flour Mills, Republic Flour Milling Corp., and Wellington Flour Mills.

 Last May, the BTRCP sent letters to flour millers requesting them to clarify within five days why, as per record of DTI, ex-mill flour have not gone down despite the downward trend in wheat, freight cost, foreign exchange and the zero tariff on wheat.