19 alleged rice hoarders given until May 14 to file response

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has given 19 businessmen until May 14 to file their response to charges of rice hoarding and diversion slapped against them.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the businessmen, who were charged for diverting National Food Authority (NFA) rice into commercial stocks and other hoarding-related charges, would waive their right to file their defense should they fail to submit to the DOJ their counter-affidavits on or before the deadline.

The respondents were identified as Tingting Lee, Zeny Uy, Pan Ziqiang, Henry Jimenez, Jovencio Hisarza, Teofilo Laquinta, Frederick Khoo, Evelyn Pamo, Kelvin Roy Khoo, Tiu Yin, Linda Diet, Jerbert Yao, Bainot Mokamad, Saasrib Mariga, Dima Ali, Melanie Limbotungan, Fatima Talib, Naguib Mokamad and Victor del Rosario.

Gonzalez said the traders may face a jail term of six to 15 years if found guilty of the charges.

President Arroyo earlier instructed the DOJ’s Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force to crack down on suspected hoarders and rice diverters.

Last Thursday, Mrs. Arroyo witnessed the submission of counter-affidavits of 13 other suspected rice hoarders before Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño.

Those who have been charged were Anthony Choi Angeles from Laguna; Romeo Mariano Jr. from Baliwag, Bulacan; Eleonor Rodriguez of Metro-Grain Marketing in Valenzuela; Meynardo Guevarra from Las Piñas; Francisco Dio from Baclaran, Parañaque; Arnel Lagonoy from Commonwealth, Quezon City; Mary Ann Mago from Tandang Sora, Quezon City; Geonell Vin Centeno from E. Rodriquez, Quezon City; Delia Barreda from Old Balara, Quezon City; Sofia de Guzman from San Antonio Valley, Las Piñas City; Prestifero Prado from Camarines Sur; Leonides Manalo also from Las Piñas; and Lydia Supremid from Mapandan, Pangasinan.

Gonzalez said the resolution would be issued immediately while cases of illegal price manipulation, no record book/grains transaction and violation of the Revised Rules and Regulation on Grains Business are expected to be filed before the court next week.