Senate panel seeks filing of raps vs Agri officials tagged in sugar fiasco | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
![dpo-dps-seal](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/Seal_Image_OD.png)
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Senate panel seeks filing of raps vs Agri officials tagged in sugar fiasco
Senate panel seeks filing of raps vs Agri officials tagged in sugar fiasco
Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 08, 2022 04:07 PM PHT
|
Updated Sep 08, 2022 09:14 PM PHT
![Clipboard](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/ClipboardNews.png)
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee on Thursday recommended filing charges against former and suspended agriculture officials over the controversial sugar importation order labelled "illegal" by Malacañang.
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee on Thursday recommended filing charges against former and suspended agriculture officials over the controversial sugar importation order labelled "illegal" by Malacañang.
The committee sought charges against suspended Department of Agriculture undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Hermenegildo Serafica, and board members Ronald Beltran, and Aurelio Valderrama.
The committee sought charges against suspended Department of Agriculture undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Hermenegildo Serafica, and board members Ronald Beltran, and Aurelio Valderrama.
"There is preliminary evidence on record indicating that [the 4] have committed the administrative offense of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross insubordination," the report read.
"There is preliminary evidence on record indicating that [the 4] have committed the administrative offense of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and gross insubordination," the report read.
The panel also recommended the filing of several criminal complaints against the 4 over alleged violations of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and the Revised Penal Code.
The panel also recommended the filing of several criminal complaints against the 4 over alleged violations of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, and the Revised Penal Code.
ADVERTISEMENT
The panel also requested the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to include the names of Sebastian, Serafica, Beltran, and Valderrama in the lookout bulletin order.
The panel also requested the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to include the names of Sebastian, Serafica, Beltran, and Valderrama in the lookout bulletin order.
According to panel chairperson Sen. Francis Tolentino, 14 out of the 17 committee members signed the report, with 1 dissenting opinion.
According to panel chairperson Sen. Francis Tolentino, 14 out of the 17 committee members signed the report, with 1 dissenting opinion.
Tolentino said he recommended the filing of charges against the 4 even if they invoked "good faith" because "the good faith presumption was rebutted.”
Tolentino said he recommended the filing of charges against the 4 even if they invoked "good faith" because "the good faith presumption was rebutted.”
"There were facts established that they went beyond what was expected of them, bordering usurpation," Tolentino said in a press conference.
"There were facts established that they went beyond what was expected of them, bordering usurpation," Tolentino said in a press conference.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel manifested to the Blue Ribbon committee that the minority bloc is going to file a separate report regarding the sugar importation issue.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel manifested to the Blue Ribbon committee that the minority bloc is going to file a separate report regarding the sugar importation issue.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said for her part said Sebastian was made to be a "fall guy."
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said for her part said Sebastian was made to be a "fall guy."
"With due respect to the Chair, tila may ginawang fall guys... I believe Usec. Sebastian when he says he was of the good faith belief that the importation not only was necessary, it had the support of the Chief Executive," she said in a statement.
"With due respect to the Chair, tila may ginawang fall guys... I believe Usec. Sebastian when he says he was of the good faith belief that the importation not only was necessary, it had the support of the Chief Executive," she said in a statement.
Agriculture officials led by Serafica and Sebastian approved last month Sugar Order No. 4 authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The order was later nullified by the Palace after claiming that Pres. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. did not agree to it.
Agriculture officials led by Serafica and Sebastian approved last month Sugar Order No. 4 authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The order was later nullified by the Palace after claiming that Pres. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. did not agree to it.
— With a report from Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News
Read More:
Senate
senator
senators
blue ribbon committee
blue ribbon
blue ribbon panel
sugar
asukal
sugar fiasco
sugar importation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT