Philippines imposes record $28m fine on onion import cartel
By James Konstantin Galvez ( October 15, 2026, 08:41 GMT | Insight) -- The Philippine Competition Commission has imposed a record fine of 1.76 billion pesos ($28 million) on six businesses and their officers for operating an onion import cartel that controlled nearly half of the country's approved onion import clearances in 2020 and 2021. The fines were tripled under the Philippine Competition Act because onions are classified as a prime commodity. The respondents have until Friday to pay their fines or seek reconsideration, while the PCC is considering referring the case to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution.The Philippine antitrust regulator on Thursday announced a record fine of 1.76 billion pesos ($28 million) against six business entities and several company officers for operating an onion import cartel that controlled nearly half of the country's approved onion import clearances....
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