Mega-task force just a sound bite

Mega-task force just a sound bite | Daily Tribune

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has proposed the creation of a mega task force purportedly to run after rice traders who engage in cartel-like activities.

Romualdez is correct in saying that the price of rice remains prohibitive despite the fact that the tariff on rice imports has been drastically reduced by the current administration from 35 percent to 15 percent, a decision that became a virtual noose around the necks of the country’s neglected rice farmers. President Bongbong Marcos’ swivel chair economic advisers believe the 20-percent reduction is a panacea for the rice shortage and spiraling inflation.

Romualdez’s confreres in the House of Representatives, as if on cue, were all praises for him as if his idea of a mega-task force was brilliant and original. Firstly, it is too late; secondly, it proves that he just learned of the existence of rice traders and hoarders who have been manipulating the price of the prime staple which we Pinoys cannot do without.

It is simply absurd that those familiar names and faces in the QuadComm share Romualdez’s concept of a mega-task force which actually is a direct affront and insult to the Department of Trade and Industry — and for that matter Malacañang — which for the nth time has warned rice hoarders and traders of severe consequences if they do not stop their illicit activities.

Of course, they know the culprits and you do not need a mega-task force to run after them and place them behind bars. The Bureau of Customs and DTI know them and the executive branch cannot play possum on the flagrant rice hoarding and price manipulation that are taking place under the President’s nose.

Speaker Romualdez’s faithful disciples, Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega, even massage the ego of their master by declaring that the Speaker’s scheme would bring the rice smugglers to justice.

Khonghun, Ortega and maybe Romualdez are either ignorant or are stonewalling on the simple fact that with just a 15-percent tariff on imported rice, traders would not bother to smuggle it since at that rate it would be cheaper than greasing hungry Customs and Coast Guard palms.

No, we are not buying that crap of a mega-task force. It’s another case of tomfoolery to lift the sagging image of House Speaker Romualdez who, despite “AKAP” and billions of pesos in “ayuda,” remains at the tailend of trust and performance surveys.

The mega-task force is just another sound bite.