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The Congress of the Republic insistently approved the autograph of the law that sanctions hoarding and speculation during a state of emergency such as the current case of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), a rule that had been observed by the Executive Power on July 2.
By 121 votes in favor, zero against and 5 abstentions, the national representation approved the final text which includes several legislative proposals to sanction hoarding, speculation and adulteration in areas declared in a state of emergency, public calamity or commotion.
“The wrong position of the Government is clear, seeking to protect the economic interests of some businessmen. We reject the position of President Vizcarra in observing this law “said José Luna Morales (Podemos Peru), president of the Consumer Defense Commission.
The proposal contemplates the restitution of the penalty for hoarding, as well as modifying the crime of speculation, which will be punished with imprisonment of no less than 4 and no more than 6 years, and with 180 to 365 days-fine.
Similarly, the speculation and alteration of weights and measures will be sanctioned with effective imprisonment of not less than 2 nor more than 6 years, as well as 180 to 365 days-fine.
If speculation is committed during a state of emergency declared by the President of the Republic, the custodial sentence will be no less than 4 and no more than 8 years, and with 180 to 365 days-fine.
On July 2, through an official letter addressed to the head of Parliament, Manuel Merino, the Government explained that the regulation “Violates the principles that govern the classification of illegal conduct”, because it does not develop “Expressly and unequivocally the content of the prohibited conduct”.
“The proposal has violated the principles that govern the classification of illicit conduct, therefore, it is not possible that it is through this regulation that this need will be met while maintaining the protection gap”, it reads in the document signed by the president Martin Vizcarra.
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