Pangilinan wants to file charges vs NFA chief

With the recent rice price hikes, Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday said he wants to file charges against National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino and not just to reappoint him to another position or “recycle” him as a government official.

“While asking NFA Administrator Jason Aquino to resign is a good step, more needs to be done to arrest the rising prices of rice. File charges against the NFA Administrator. Don’t recycle him and reappoint him to another government position,” he said in a statement.

READ: Senators blame NFA for rice shortage, high prices

Pangilinan pointed out that the government should have a “quick and concrete” responses to the rice crisis as Filipinos need affordable rice.

“Acknowledge the rice crisis. What explains the high prices? Even if there are grains in the market, what the people need are those they can afford with their meager income. We need are quick and concrete responses to this gut issue,” Pangilinan said.

Aquino requested to be relieved from his post, which led President Rodrigo Duterte to begin search for a new NFA administrator.

READ: Duterte looking for new NFA chief after Jason Aquino asked to be relieved

The NFA is mandated to boost food security and stabilize prices and supply of the nation’s staple food. /ee