Takes full responsibility for unauthorized sugar import bid

LEOCADIO Sebastian has resigned from his post as Department of Agriculture undersecretary for operations and chief of staff to the DA Secretary currently headed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced on Friday.

In a letter to the President dated August 11, Sebastian profusely apologized to the chief executive for having approved Sugar Order No. 2 without the expressed approval of Marcos, who, as DA secretary, is also chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board.

“I sincerely offer my apologies, Your Excellency, for my having approved Sugar Order no.4 on your behalf, and through the authority you have vested upon me…I take accountability and responsibility for its consequences,” Sebastian said in his one-page letter.

Sebastian added: “Thus, I humbly offer to be relieved of my delegated authorities and the assignments and responsibilities in my capacity as Chief of Staff and Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture.”

Secretary Cruz-Angeles has earlier described as “illegal” Sugar Order No. 4 issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration, which supposedly directs the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar.

“The Chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board is President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as such, the chairman sets the date of any meetings or convening of the Sugar Regulatory Board and its agenda.

No such meeting was authorized by the President or such a resolution likewise, was not authorized,” Cruz-Angeles told a media briefing Thursday.

“Usec. Sebastian was not authorized to sign such a resolution because the President did not authorize the importation,” said Cruz-Angeles.

The Press Secretary said an investigation is ongoing to determine whether any act that would cause the President to lose trust and confidence in his officials can be found or if there is malice or negligence involved.

“In such a case, if such findings are made, then the only determination left will be how many heads are going to roll,” she said.

“Sugar is one such importation which we take great care with. It is a balancing act. The importation has to be carefully studied to protect the consumer against the rising prices of basic commodities while ensuring at the same time that we do not destroy the local industry,” said Cruz-Angeles.

A farmers’ group, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) has lauded Marcos’ decision to reject the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.

Sinag Executive Director Jayson Cainglet said the SRA and the DA should heed the marching order of the chief executive to support local production. By ANCHIT MASANGKAY