By DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – President and concurrent Department of Agriculture secretary Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has cleared former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head Hermenegildo Serafica and former board members Ronald Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. of any wrongdoing over the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4) back in 2022.
The Palace blamed the controversy to miscommunication with regards to the issuance of SO4.
All three SRA officials were accused of grave misconduct, gross dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the service.
In a statement sent to Panay News, Valderrama thanked Malacañang for dismissing the charges.
“This is the vindication that I have always prayed for and believed in, knowing that my actions as member of the [SRA’s board] was done in good faith, devoid of ill intentions, and consistent with established agency procedures,” Valderrama said.
He also called on the Department of Agriculture and the SRA to take the lead in bringing 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.
SO4 would have mandated the importation of 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.
The order was later deemed “illegal” by Malacañang as it was not approved by Marcos.
Both Serafica and Beltran would later resign from their posts, with Beltran stating that his resignation was due to “health reasons”./PN
