139 NFA OFFICIALS SUSPENDED

THE Office of the Ombudsman has suspended 139 officials of the National Food Authority (NFA) amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged “cheap” sale of rice buffer stocks to some traders.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension against NFA administrator Roderico Bioco and 138 other officials of the agency.

Laurel said he will take over the leadership of the NFA.

 “I will be in charge and it will be business as usual at NFA,” Laurel said in a press release.

“We cannot, even in the face of this investigation, allow our fellow Filipinos to be deprived of government services they deserve,” he added.

The suspension came after the Office of the President reportedly received a complaint from an NFA official, claiming that Bioco and other executives allowed the sale of NFA rice worth P93.75 million without securing the approval of the NFA Council.

The NFA officials were also accused of disposing of the rice buffer stocks without bidding and at prices that were disadvantageous to the government.

Laurel had ordered a panel of investigators to look into the allegations.

He said he will immediately inform the public of the result of the investigation.

The agriculture chief said he expects everyone in the agency to do their regular jobs to ensure that our countrymen are provided the service they deserve.

Meanwhile, Bioco defended the sale of the NFA rice, saying the council allows the management to dispose of aging stocks at a price of up to 10% lower than mandated.