The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) imposes a record P1.76 billion fine on six firms it says formed an onion cartel whose actions push retail prices to as high as P800 per kilogram in 2022. The PCC says the conduct caused a sharp rise in the cost of onions during that period.
Bloomberg and other outlets report that the case is among the largest penalties ever issued by the PCC. Rappler adds that Lilia Cruz, described as the alleged “onion queen,” is among those fined and identified as a potential mastermind of the scheme. The reporting focuses on the impact on consumers—onion prices rising above the cost of meat—and frames the penalty as a record response by the antitrust regulator. Across sources, the emphasis is on the PCC’s finding of collusion by onion traders and the size of the sanction, rather than on any proposed penalties or appeals process.
