Lawmakers support a study into the high cost of essential goods.

Lawmakers in the House have threatened to take legal action against dealers who inflate the price of necessities, highlighting the seriousness of the House probe and its ability to deter unscrupulous businesspeople.

“The pronouncements of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez about the investigation are serious, and they should serve as a warning to our unscrupulous businessmen who are engaged in cartels in various industries in the agriculture sector,” Khonghun said last Thursday.

Legislator Khonghun warned against putting Kababayans through economic sabotage tactics, threatening legal repercussions and possibly prosecution for crimes for which there is no bond. Reps. Ortega and Zamora agreed, saying that in order to stop impunity, the government must step in.

“Let’s not victimize these people who are in a hand-to-mouth situation. Let’s have some conscience. Let’s make life easier by giving them affordable prices,” she said.

“The poorest of the poor needs nourishment the most among our population, which is a huge part. Imagine they have to grapple with the almost never-ending inflation, yet our business sector still takes advantage of them. This shouldn’t be,” Ortega added.

An inquiry into the equilibrium between farm gate and retail pricing in the Philippines has been demanded by House Deputy Majority Leader Margarita B. Nograles and Assistant Majority Leader Zia A. Adiong. They think the House's monitoring role will guarantee responsibility and protect consumers and agricultural workers, since farmers are among the most vulnerable members of society. Stopping this apparent profiteering and putting relevant laws into effect are the goals of the investigation, which also attempts to identify persons guilty and impose steps to avoid additional profiteering.