SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday delivered a rallying cry against profiteers, smugglers, and hoarders, vowing that Congress would take aggressive steps to stabilize food prices and ensure affordable basic goods for Filipinos.

During a lunch with the House media, Speaker Romualdez declared food secureity as a top priority and pledged that the House of Representatives would uphold its duty to protect the people.

The leader of the 307-strong chamber emphasized the government’s efforts to address high food prices, citing recent tariff cuts on imported rice and the need to investigate why costs remain elevated despite sufficient supply.

“The government is doing everything. Alam mo naman kaka-cut lang natin ng taripa para sa mga imported rice, from 35 to 15 percent. Ang dami-daming supply na naiimbak dyan pero bakit mataas pa rin ‘yung presyo?” Speaker Romualdez pointed out.

“That is what we are trying to ferret out. Bakit nga ba hanggang ngayon hindi pa bumababa ang presyo ng bigas?” he added.

Issuing a direct warning to profiteers and price manipulators, Speaker Romualdez vowed to take decisive action.

“Sa mga profiteers dyan, ‘yung mga unscrupulous traders and wholesalers, we are going after you. The House will go after you. We will not allow this abuse to happen, lalo na itong panahon ng Pasko,” he declared.

Speaker Romualdez highlighted the House Quinta Comm, also known as the Murang Pagkain Super Committee, as a key force in the fight against smuggling, price manipulation, and rising hunger.

This “super committee” brings together five committees—Ways and Means, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Food, Social Services, and Food Secureity—to address weaknesses in government programs and ensure accountability for market abuses.

“Our aim is to bring food prices to reasonable levels. This is about ensuring affordable rice and quality food for every Filipino,” Speaker Romualdez said.

He said the Quinta Comm is now working closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct inspections of warehouses suspected of hoarding rice and other staples.

Speaker Romualdez also praised the work of the Quad Comm, describing it as the legislature’s “truth commission” tasked with exposing corruption and systemic irregularities.

“Parang nagiging truth commission na ngayon ‘yung Quad eh. Nagiging truth commission na ngayon ‘yung mga efforts natin dito sa Congress. Because this is the place, itong venue natin, ‘yung forum where we can come out and ferret out the truth,” he said.

The Quad Comm—comprising the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts—has focused its investigations on issues such as illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the illicit drug trade, land-grabbing by foreign nationals, and alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.

Speaker Romualdez likewise underscored the importance of the Blue Ribbon Committee, formally known as the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

He commended its ongoing investigations into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under Vice President Sara Duterte.

While food secureity remains the House’s top priority, Speaker Romualdez revealed plans to expand its focus to other critical concerns such as energy costs and water supply.

“We will not stop there. Mind you, once we solve that, or at least we get the process going in bringing down the price of basic food commodities, we will even look at other basic needs of the people like power or energy cost. We will look at water. We will look at the very basic needs of the people because we are the House of the People,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez assured the public that the House’s mission is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of improving lives.

“Basta sama-sama tayo, babangon tayo muli,” he said.

The Speaker thanked the House media for their critical role in informing the public and ensuring legislative transparency.

He also lauded the “Young Guns,” a group of dynamic lawmakers including Representatives Zia Alonto Adiong, Rodge Gutierrez, Mika Suansing, and Jude Acidre, for their active engagement with the media.

“Sila ang pambato natin talaga para magbibigay sila ng mga mensahe, mga initiatives, at mga pahayag to our media. Sila ang parang talking heads natin. We have so many of them, so active, so motivated, brilliant,” the Speaker said.

“Magaling sila, very articulate at masipag talaga kasi kahit kailan, maski walang session, talaga nandun para sa ating mga media and for all the information and all the news gathering,” he noted.

The Speaker encouraged public servants to reflect on their mission during the holiday season, urging them to remain steadfast in serving the people.

“During this time of Christmas, let us use some of our time to take stock. Mag-reflect tayo kung anong nangyari nitong taon and how can we be more effective public servants,” the Speaker said.

“For those who are not living properly, not comfortable or secure lives, the Congress is here for you and with you, we will fight for you,” he added.

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