By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Anti-crime and anti-corruption group Task Force Crusaders (TFC) has requested the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to probe the lending companies in Negros Occidental that allegedly charge exorbitant interests and violate the Lending Act.
TFC National Deputy Commander John Chiong said they received complaints especially from pensioners.
One senior citizen claimed her pension had increased but a lending company, where she has availed of a pension loan since 2015, did not inform her of the change.
She further claimed that when she inquired about the amount, which should have been returned to her by the lending company, she was only told that it goes to the interest of her loan.
Chiong stated several lending companies and loan sharks operating in Negros Occidental are operating without licenses and are allegedly taking advantage of their clients.
He further explained there were 104 lending companies whose operations were already suspended by SEC for violations of the Lending Act.
The TFC also offered to partner with SEC in the campaign against firms violating Republic Act 9474 or the Lending Company Regulations Act of 2007./WDJ