Rama warns overpricing sellers: Do not test me

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama– Photo from Cebu City PIO Live Video

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama warned wholesellers and retailers to stop overpricing their goods or they will suffer dire consequences.

“Do not take authority for granted and do not test your mayor. Anyone taking advantage or abuse will really suffer the pain of what the law will bring them, arrest or imprisonment,” said the mayor.

The city has caught a seller of overpriced water at P300 per 10 liters in tbe Carbon Market.

The seller claimed she bought the water at P250 each in a nearby bodega, which the city government is currently investigating.

The mayor said the first apprehension will serve as the deterrent to all sellers from continuing on with their abuses.

Rama said the city will go after these abusive sellers who have taken advantage of the crisis to profit off the desperation of the public.

He said appropriate charges will be filed as well for all those who will be found selling beyond the price limit set by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The mayor instructed the newly convened Price Monitoring Council to go after the establishments and retailers selling overpriced goods.

The Price Monitoring Council and Price Monitoring and Enforcement Team (PMET) will be tasked to enforce Republic Act of 7581, which constitutes the Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation such as hoarding, profiteering, and cartelization.

Violators will face a fine of imprisonment of not less than 5 to 15 years or a fine of P5,000 to P2 million.

The council is comprised of the City Legal Office, Business Permit and Licensing Office, Market Operations Division, Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Office, PROBE, and Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). /rcg