Traders caught overpricing goods go to NBI

MANILA, Philippines - Representatives of groceries and supermarkets allegedly caught overpricing their goods went yesterday to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Manila to explain their side.

But Lawyer Ruel Lasala, deputy director for intelligence services, said traders caught overpricing by the joint NBI and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) teams were set to appear yesterday before government officials pursuant to subpoenas issued by the NBI.

Of the 34 branches of supermarkets and groceries in Metro Manila, 11 allegedly violated the price ceilings set by the DTI, Lasala said.

Representatives from the DTI-NCR, headed by Assistant Secretary Angel Pelayo, attended the meeting.

Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, led by lawyer Kathyrin Fe Pioquinto, were also at the meeting.

During questioning, the supermarket and grocery representatives denied violating any law.

The NBI said one drugstore had explained that since their establishment is a small convenient store, it lacks manpower to tag the new lists issued by the DTI last Sept. 28 and Oct. 2.

It added that since it is a “24/7” convenient store, it is not classified as a supermarket or wet market, and therefore its overhead costs are higher.

A supermarket representative maintained that it is complying with the DTI list, but they are relying on the postings of DTI on the website.

He said they were inspected last Oct. 5, but the posting of the new DTI price list was only last Oct. 8.

Although the list was published earlier in papers, supermarket representatives agreed that they rely mostly on the DTI website on the Internet.

He explained that the price ceiling is inequitable as prices of commodities on the list were automatically on freeze when the state of calamity was declared.

“No price movements were done, and the prices on which they were found to be overpriced are the prices existing prior to the onslaught of the typhoon and the subsequent declaration of the State of Calamity,” he said.

Another department store insisted that it has been complying with the price list of the DTI, but added that some of their suppliers’ prices were higher than those mandated by the government.

Another store said there is initiative to comply, but there was a glitz in the computer transfer from its main office to its branch office, delaying the implementation of its purchasing service.

Lasala said all the counsels and representatives of the establishments were asked to submit their counter-affidavit or position paper on Oct. 16.