Hontiveros sees ‘many powerful forces at play’ in 300,000 MT sugar import mess

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros believes that “many powerful forces are at play” in the 300,000 metric tons sugar importation mess, as doubts remain unsettled.

“In my last few seconds, just for the record, Mr. Chair, would just like to manifest that what is clear to me so far is that many things are not clear, and it also seems that many powerful forces are at play,” she said during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Tuesday.

“What is the ES (Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez) hiding? What information doesn’t he want the public to know?… Who is feeding the President or Malacañang wrong information? Is the Executive Secretary feeding the President wrong information? Is the President caught in the crosshairs of opposing camps?” she added.

Hontiveros insisted that Rodriguez should attend the hearings to respond to the senators’ inquiries.

Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez was a no-show during the second hearing on the issue due to a Cabinet meeting.

READ: Hontiveros: Rodriguez’s no-show at Senate sugar import mess probe ‘regrettable’

FILE PHOTO: Senator Risa Hontiveros enjoins the Blue Ribbon Committee to hold to account government officials who are found to have been misusing public funds. During the organizational meeting of the Senate panel Wednesday, August 17, 2022. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

“With some groups wanting to change the leadership of SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) or limit the number of importers to a select few, hindi ba trabaho ng ES na protektahan ang Pangulo?” the senator said.

(Is it not the job of the ES to protect the President?)

“Hindi ba dapat gatekeepers sila of these competing interests so that the President make policy decisions unfettered by political considerations? Kaya kailangan po talagang makarating si ES sa ating pagdinig, Mr. Chair,” she continued.

(Shouldn’t they be gatekeepers of these competing interests so that the President makes policy decisions unfettered by political considerations? That is why ES should attend hearings.)

Hontiveros then suggested that Rodriguez be required to attend the next hearing on the “illegal” importation order for 300,000 metric tons of sugar.

RELATED STORY

Bongbong Marcos did not oppose proposed 300,000 MT sugar importation – officials

kga/abc