Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez was the one who discovered and reported to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. about the “illegal” resolution issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for the importation of an additional 300,000 metric tons of sugar, according to Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.
“Actually, siya (ES Rodriguez) ang nakahuli nito. Siya ang nagdala ng issue sa Presidente at ipinakita ang [resolution] na pinirmahan ng board na illegally nag-convene,” Angeles said, in a live interview
over PTV.
She added, “At si Presidente mismo ang nagsabi na hindi niya pinayagan ang importation na ito. So doon lahat nag-umpisa… si ES (Rodriguez) din po ang gumawa ng hakbang para maumpisahan ang imbestigasyon.”
On her Facebook live on her official account Friday, Aug. 12, Angeles explained Rodriguez directed the submission of an importation plan, upon orders from the President.
She, however, stressed Rodriguez had no hand in the issuance by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) of order no. 4, dated Aug. 9, 2022, which authorized the importation.
“Ang maliwanag lang sa atin ngayon ito: simple lang, walang kinalaman si ES (Rodriguez) sa importation. Nag-issue siya ng direktiba na gumawa ng importation plan. Sa’n nanggaling yung importation plan? Aba eh di sa Pangulo din natin. Inutusan niya si ES na magdirekta ng importation plan para makita — uulitin natin: feasibility ng importation.
“Kailan mag iimport? Magkano at kanino natin bibilhin? Maaari rin sa importation plan sabihin na hindi pa ngayon mag-iimport. Sa madaling sabi, ang importation plan ay hindi importation order,” Angeles clarified.
She said Rodriguez wanted to impose stiff sanctions on those who signed the unauthorized SRA order namely, Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Leocadio Sebastian; SRA board vice-chair Hermenegildo Serafica; board member Roland Beltran; and acting board member Aurelio Valderrama Jr.
Pres. Marcos gave the abovementioned officials an opportunity to air their side, even as a thorough investigation is ongoing.
“Fair ang Presidente natin, binigyan pa sila ng due process, kahit nakikita na natin na iligal iyong resolution na nilabas,” she said.
In an interview over PTV, Angeles explained, “Titignan natin ang extent na matatagpuan ng mga imbestigador dito. Base sa findings of course may matatanggal kung kelangan silang matanggal. May masususpindi kung ang findings ay magsusuporta ng ganitong klase ng parusa.”
Sebastian tendered his resignation on Aug. 11, after taking full “accountability and responsibility” for “illegally” signing the order for the President.
Malacañang maintained Sebastian does not have the authority to sign documents for or on behalf of the President. -KC
