By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head David John Thaddeus Alba resigned seven months after his appointment due to health reasons, board member Pablo Azcona said.

Based on the explanation provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Alba exhibited high blood pressure problems.

The DA was informed that he had submitted an “irrevocable resignation.”

He reported to work last March 22 after undergoing a medical check-up.

Azcona denied that Alba’s resignation was related to the alleged sugar smuggling.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement the SRA head informed him of his decision to resign due to his worsening health condition last Wednesday, March 22.

Bersamin added that upon the directive of President and concurrent Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his resignation would be effective on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement.

Alba was appointed as SRA head on August 2022, replacing Hermenegildo Serafica, who resigned due to the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4./DGB, WDJ