‘Appalled’ NFA officials hit Hontiveros’ corruption claim

Several National Food Authority (NFA) officials denied on Thursday the alleged P2 billion worth of profit from the rice ‘tara’ (payola) system.

“We are appalled at how some politicians have made malicious imputations on activities that are being done in the course of business of the agency,” the NFA officials said in a statement.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, in her privilege speech on Monday, exposed the alleged P2 billion profit from the ‘tara’ system going to several NFA officials, with its former administrator Jason Aquino allegedly at the “center” of the “massive corruption” in the agency.

READ: Hontiveros exposes alleged P2-B profit from NFA ‘tara’ system

The officials tagged in the corruption claim expressed “disgust” as they were “collectively accused of wrongdoing for simply performing their job as part of standard operating procedures in the agency.”

The senator named Marlon Barillo, Marigold De Castro, Richie Carpio, Mercedes Yacapin, Rocky Valdez, and Judy Carol Dansal as those involved in the alleged corruption.

The officials claim that those who were mentioned, with the exemption of Aquino and Carpio, “are long-time NFA employees who rose from the ranks and are now occupying high positions in the operations group of the agency.

“We have faithfully served the agency and the public for more than 40 years,” they said.

“It is lamentable that somebody, speaking under the cloak of immunity of the Senate, would destroy our names and reputation in a few minutes of privileged speech,” they added.

The NFA officials then called on all politicians and those who want to enter politics “not to use the agency to boost their political stock or to destroy the present administration.” /je