The new officer-in-charge of the National Food Authority (NFA) has been suspended due to his alleged involvement in the controversial rice scam.
According to RH Val Gonzales' report on Monday, March 11, the Office of the Ombudsman released a new order that suspends NFA officer-in-charge Administrator Piolito 'Pio' Santos who only served in office for five days.
Also suspended was Jonathan Yazon, the acting department manager for NFA operation and cooperation.
BREAKING: Bagong talagang OIC ng NFA, sinibak sa pwesto dahil sa pagkakadawit sa 'rice scam' | RH05 @dzrh5 Val Gonzales#Breaktime #SamaSamaTayoPilipino
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Interviewed on DZRH's Balansyado, Department of Agriculture (DA) Asec. Arnel De Mesa said the Ombudsman might have found evidence that linked Santos and Yazon in the controversial sale of NFA rice to certain private buyers at disadvantaged prices.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel will now take over the agency as the NFA administrator.
"Possible siguro na sa kanilang pag-analisa, kumbaga sabihin natin na may possibilidad na kasama sila Santos and Yazon [sa rice scam]. Actually, siya [Santos] na lang [ang highest official ang natira] dapat. Kaya ngayon, wala na top brass doon sa NFA na natira kaya pansamantalang kinuha ni Secretary [ang NFA]," he said.
As per De Mesa, Laurel appointed Larry Lacson as the new officer in charge of the Office of the Deputy Administrator.
DA Asec. Arnel De Mesa sa pagkakadawit ni NFA assistant administrator Piolito Santos sa 'rice scam': Nung lumabas yung unang suspension (order), yung 139, wala sa listahan si OIC Administrator Pio Santos#Balansyado#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 11, 2024
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Meanwhile, he warned that there might be a "huge vacuum" once the NFA is abolished as proposed by some congressmen.
"Discretion ng ating Kamara na tignan ang lahat ng possible arrangement para sa ating bueraucracy. Sa amin, napaka-important ng role ng NFA [sa] post-Rice Tariffication Law dahil kailangan natin mag-maintain ng buffer stock," the DA official said.
"Maraming assets ang NFA kagaya ng warehouses, dryers, and rice mills. Kung bubuwagin natin immediately, magkakaroon tayo ng malaking vacuum in terms na kung sino mag ma-manage ng buffer stock, paano yung pangangailangan ng bigas [para sa] disaster and calamity," he added.
The Office of the Ombudsman first suspended NFA Administrator Roderico 'Rod' Bioco, NFA Assistant Administrator for Operations John Robert Hermano, and 137 NFA regional managers and warehouse supervisors.
