By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The charges filed against three former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) officials involved in the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4) last year, were dismissed.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. — also the concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary — has cleared former SRA head Hermenegildo Serafica and board members Ronald Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, Jr. of any wrongdoings.
Based on a copy of the decision, it says that there has been a miscommunication with regards to the issuance of SO4, wherein the three SRA officials were accused of grave misconduct, gross dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
In a statement forwarded by Valderrama to Watchmen Daily Journal, he thanked Malacañang for dismissing the charges against him and his co-respondents.
Valderrama pointed out the issue has caused “much grief to him and his family.”
“This is the vindication that I have always prayed for and believed in, that will come, in due time, knowing that my actions as the member of the [SRA’s board] were done in good faith, devoid of ill intentions and consistent with established agency procedures,” he said.
With the issue against them now cleared up, Valderrama said it is time to move forward and set aside the issues that divided everyone, and instead focus on how they can work together for the sugar industry.
He said the industry still faces serious challenges that demand the collective action of all stakeholders, in concert with the government.
The former official also called on the DA and the SRA to take the lead in harnessing the talents, energies and resources within the industry, in concert with legislators, concerned government and the private sector to help bring the country’s sugar industry back to its rightful place.
Last year, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the signatories of the controversial SO4.
The charges stemmed from the issuance of SO4 which would have mandated the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar.
The order was later deemed “illegal” by the Malacañang as it was not approved by Marcos.
Both Serafica and Beltran later resigned from their posts, with Beltran stating that his resignation was due to “health reasons.”/DGB, WDJ