MARCH 15, 2026 — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued a stern warning: hoarders and profiteers of basic goods could face up to 15 years in jail and fines reaching ₱2 million. This comes as the Middle East conflict rattles global oil supply, raising fears of price shocks that will hit Filipino households hardest.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque warned, “Penalties await those found guilty.” 

She invoked Republic Act No. 7581, the Price Act, which criminalizes hoarding, profiteering, and cartel activities. The law is clear — those who manipulate prices during crises will face severe punishment.

With the United States, Israel, and Iran locked in escalating conflict, oil supply disruptions are already pushing fuel costs upward. And in the Philippines, when fuel prices rise, everything else follows — from canned sardines to instant noodles, detergent soap, and bottled water.

Roque assured lawmakers that supplies of basic necessities remain stable until May, but admitted logistics costs are the real culprit behind looming price hikes. 

“We acknowledge that the prices actually will increase not because of the product itself but because of the cost of logistics,” she told senators.

To cushion the blow, the DTI is pushing for:

• Suspension of government shares in port handling fees (Philippine Ports Authority, Cebu Ports Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority)
• Temporary moratorium on toll fees for delivery trucks carrying essential goods

These measures aim to keep goods moving without passing the full burden of rising fuel costs onto consumers.

Regional and global context

At the ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat, Roque admitted there’s no regional agreement yet on how to respond collectively. Each country is scrambling with its own stopgap measures. ASEAN ministers did, however, issue a joint statement urging dialogue in the Middle East and stressing energy resiliency.

But while governments talk cooperation, we are bracing for the ripple effects. Every jeepney ride, every kilo of rice could soon cost more.

Hoarding and profiteering thrive when fear grips the market. Retailers who stash goods to sell at inflated prices exploit the very people who keep their businesses alive. The DTI’s threat of 15 years behind bars is not just a legal warning; it’s a moral one.

In this case, enforcement is everything. Will the DTI’s hotlines and regional offices be enough to catch violators? Or will small sari-sari stores and big retailers alike find ways to skirt the law while consumers suffer?

We know this story too well. Every crisis — pandemic, typhoon, geopolitical conflict — brings out both the best and worst in us. The question now is whether vigilance from consumers and decisive action from the government can outpace greed.

So, as oil prices climb and profiteers lurk, will the DTI’s threats be enough to protect our families from exploitation — or will hoarders once again win at the expense of the masses?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)