The 23 National Food Authority (NFA) officials, whose six-month preventive suspensions have been lifted, are still part of the case on the agency's controversial rice scam, according to Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Thursday, March 21.
Interviewed on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Martires said they only lifted the preventive suspension imposed against the 23 NFA officials as they had secured the necessary documents.
"Ngayon, wala na kaming nakikita sa 23 [NFA officials] para ma-tamper ang document kasi nakuha namin ang kailangan namin. We do not think they will commit further maleficial in office. So ni-recommend ng imbestigador na i-lift ang suspension pero kasama pa rin sila sa kaso," he added.
The 23 NFA officials have returned to their respective work.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires, sa mga sinuspindeng NFA official: Sa ngayon, 23 pa rin ang na-lift ang preventive suspension. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi na sila kasama sa respondents sa kaso. #DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 21, 2024
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Meanwhile, the Ombudsman shared they were unaware that some NFA officials on the suspended list had passed away and retired.
"Mula nang isiniwalat ito sa Congress noong hearing, hanggang ngayon ay walang sinasabi na ang mga pangalan na ginamit [sa listahan] ay patay na. Hindi naman namin alam kung sino ang mga opisyal ng NFA. Nang tingnan namin ang website ng NFA, ang mga opisyal ng NFA ay 2021 pa, so parang duda kami kung sila pa rin," he said.
NFA's lawyer, according to Martires, admitted that the agency submitted the wrong list of involved officials.
"Hindi ko alam kung sino sinasabutahe ng mga ito, si Secretary Laurel o ang imbestigasyon ng office of the ombudsman," he said.
A document obtained by RH Val Gonzales last week showed that one official, who was part of the suspended list, died in 2022, while two others retired in 2023.
On the other hand, when asked if the traders would be included in the case, the Ombudsman refused to answer.
He just mentioned that they are looking into the alleged conspiracy between NFA and traders in the sale of cheap rice.
"Right now, tinitingnan namin ang mga anggulong iyan. Ano ba ang mga partisipasyon ng traders dito [sa controversial NFA rice sale]?"
He, however, noted that conspiracy may be difficult to establish.
