Price Control and Anti-Hoarding Act

Establishment of the Price Administration Board to oversee price control measures.
Board composition: Chairman, Vice-Chairman (Price Administrator, also General Manager of PRATRA), and three members representing consumers, producers, and distributors.
Members appointed by the President with consent from the Commission on Appointments.
The Price Administrator serves as the executive officer of the Board.

The President may fix maximum prices of commodities if prices rise or threaten to rise contrary to national policy.
Price fixation is undertaken upon the recommendation of the Price Administration Board.
Special provision for fixing prices of palay, rice, and corn based on the Rice Emergency Board's recommendation.
The President and Board are required to consult representatives from affected industries.
Consider relevant factors such as speculative fluctuations and costs involved in production, distribution, and storage.
Regulations may include classifications, exceptions, and adjustments necessary to implement the Act's purpose.

The President, via the Board or designated officers, may order sales of scarce or price-inflated commodities at ceiling prices.
Priority is given to the Philippine Relief and Trade Rehabilitation Administration (PRATRA) for purchasing such items.
Sales may be supervised to ensure price compliance.

PRATRA or any government agency, including government-owned corporations, may directly import scarce or inflation-affected commodities, subject to presidential approval.
Such imports are exempted from quota restrictions under economic control laws.

The Price Administration Board and local committees may examine relevant documents (invoices, books, bills of lading) and inspect storage premises using search warrants.
They may subpoena persons to testify or produce documents, enforced by municipal or justice of the peace courts.

Importers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers must file sworn inventories and monthly sales reports with the Board.
New shipments must be declared under oath within five days of receiving shipping documents.

Possession or control of excess stock beyond reported quantities constitutes the crime of hoarding.
Excess stock may be confiscated and sold; proceeds are held by the court pending criminal conviction.
Excess stock acts as prima facie evidence of hoarding.
If acquitted, the stock or proceeds must be returned without deduction.
The Board may set maximum personal stock limits to prevent evasion.

The Board can direct authorized government agents to inspect any premises for excess stock upon sworn complaint and search warrant.
Seized excess stock is to be disposed of as per confiscation procedures.

Retailers must conspicuously post prices of controlled commodities and attach visible price tags.
Displayed merchandise is deemed offered for sale and cannot be refused for sale.

Informants who lead to seizure and confiscation of hoarded goods or securing convictions for price violations receive 20% of the value of confiscated goods or fines.
The Board may keep informants' identities confidential.
Unauthorized disclosure of informers' identities by public officials is punishable.

Imprisonment from 2 months to 12 years, fines ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 pesos, or both for:
- Selling above fixed ceiling prices.
- Hoarding or possessing excess stock.
- Refusing to sell displayed merchandise.
- Transferring or falsely selling controlled merchandise to evade the law.
- Failure to file required inventories or reports.
- Other violations of the Act or its regulations.
Additional penalties for aliens include deportation upon conviction.
Corporate officers liable alongside the corporation.
Repeat offenders barred from wholesale and retail business; first offense results in a 5-year ban, second offense results in permanent ban.
Government officials aiding violations face criminal liability and perpetual disqualification from public office.
Unauthorized disclosure of confidential business information by government agents results in fines and imprisonment.

All government agencies and employees are obliged to act as deputies and agents to enforce the Act when requested by the Price Administration Board.

If any part of the Act is found invalid, the remaining provisions remain effective and enforceable.

Any conflicting laws, orders, or executive issuances are repealed to the extent of conflict.

The Act authorizes the appropriation of 100,000 pesos, or as needed, from the national treasury to implement its provisions.

Effectivity upon approval until April 30, 1951, unless earlier terminated by concurrent resolution of Congress.
Convictions and prosecutions under the Act remain valid and ongoing after its expiration until finally resolved.