Senate panel ends probe into sugar importation mess, report out Thursday: chair

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Senate Blue Ribbon panel chair Sen. Francis Tolentino. Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB handout' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/09/06/20220906-rodriguez-tolentino.jpg' ><figcaption>Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Senate Blue Ribbon panel chair Sen. Francis Tolentino. <em>Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will release its findings on the sugar importation controversy on Thursday, the panel's chairperson told reporters Tuesday following the conclusion of its third hearing into the matter.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/06/22/rodriguez-shows-up-at-senate-after-panel-votes-to-subpoena-him'>ES Rodriguez shows up at Senate hours after Blue Ribbon votes to subpoena him</a></li></ul><p>"There is no more hearing on Thursday," Sen. Francis Tolentino said in a press conference.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/business/08/18/22/sugar-importation-policy-hampering-development-of-sugarcane-industry-senator'>Sugar importation policy hampering development of sugarcane industry: senator</a></li></ul><p>"God willing by Thursday we will have the committee report. The day after tomorrow," Tolentino added.</p><p>Asked if they would recommend filing of charges against individuals allegedly involved, Tolentino said "definitely, charges will be filed."</p><p>Tolentino's panel held 3 hearings seeking clarity into the controversial Sugar Order No. 4 allowing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The order was invalidated and was called "illegal" by Malacañang. </p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/01/22/rodriguez-to-skip-senate-probe-on-sugar-order-due-to-busy-sched'>Rodriguez to skip Senate probe on sugar order due to busy sched</a></li></ul><p>During the hearings, former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Hermenegildo Serafica and Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian both claimed receiving "signals" from Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. that importation was a go.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/classified-odd/08/30/22/marcos-aware-of-sras-intention-to-import-sugar-official'>Marcos 'aware' of SRA's intention to import sugar: official</a></li></ul><p>Rodriguez denied the claim.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/30/22/da-exec-cites-marcos-signals-in-approving-sugar-import'>Ex-official, DA exec cite supposed 'signals' from Marcos in approving sugar import</a></li></ul><p>Serafica and Sebastian, 2 of the signatories of the SO No. 4, resigned from their posts after the controversy. Sebastian's resignation, meanwhile, is still under Palace's consideration.</p><p>RELATED VIDEO:</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-oEzr9-EDlQ?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div>

<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/business/08/18/22/sugar-importation-policy-hampering-development-of-sugarcane-industry-senator'>Sugar importation policy hampering development of sugarcane industry: senator</a></li></ul><p>"God willing by Thursday we will have the committee report. The day after tomorrow," Tolentino added.</p><p>Asked if they would recommend filing of charges against individuals allegedly involved, Tolentino said "definitely, charges will be filed."</p><p>Tolentino's panel held 3 hearings seeking clarity into the controversial Sugar Order No. 4 allowing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The order was invalidated and was called "illegal" by Malacañang. </p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/01/22/rodriguez-to-skip-senate-probe-on-sugar-order-due-to-busy-sched'>Rodriguez to skip Senate probe on sugar order due to busy sched</a></li></ul><p>During the hearings, former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Hermenegildo Serafica and Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian both claimed receiving "signals" from Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. that importation was a go.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/classified-odd/08/30/22/marcos-aware-of-sras-intention-to-import-sugar-official'>Marcos 'aware' of SRA's intention to import sugar: official</a></li></ul><p>Rodriguez denied the claim.</p><ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/30/22/da-exec-cites-marcos-signals-in-approving-sugar-import'>Ex-official, DA exec cite supposed 'signals' from Marcos in approving sugar import</a></li></ul><p>Serafica and Sebastian, 2 of the signatories of the SO No. 4, resigned from their posts after the controversy. Sebastian's resignation, meanwhile, is still under Palace's consideration.</p><p>RELATED VIDEO:</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-oEzr9-EDlQ?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more News on <a href='https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news' target='_blank'>iWantTFC</a></div>

<ul class='op-related-articles'>	<li><a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/06/22/rodriguez-shows-up-at-senate-after-panel-votes-to-subpoena-him'>ES Rodriguez shows up at Senate hours after Blue Ribbon votes to subpoena him</a></li></ul><p>"There is no more hearing on Thursday," Sen. Francis Tolentino said in a press conference.</p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Senate Blue Ribbon panel chair Sen. Francis Tolentino. Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB handout' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/09/06/20220906-rodriguez-tolentino.jpg' ><figcaption>Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Senate Blue Ribbon panel chair Sen. Francis Tolentino. <em>Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will release its findings on the sugar importation controversy on Thursday, the panel's chairperson told reporters Tuesday following the conclusion of its third hearing into the matter.</p>

Asked if they would recommend filing of charges against individuals allegedly involved, Sen. Francis Tolentino said 'definitely.'

Senate panel ends probe into sugar importation mess, report out Thursday: chair | ABS-CBN News

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Senate panel ends probe into sugar importation mess, report out Thursday: chair

Senate panel ends probe into sugar importation mess, report out Thursday: chair