FILE PHOTO Executive Sec. Victor Rodriguez faces members of the Blue Ribbon Committee Tuesday, August 23, 2022, to shed light on the events that transpired in connection with the controversial Sugar Order (SO) No. 4 issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez on Tuesday said he will not attend the Senate inquiry into the sugar importation fiasco, as instructed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
This was enclosed in his letter to the Senate blue ribbon committee sent on Tuesday explaining his absence, for the second time, in the probe.
Rodriguez, however, expressed willingness to answer questions about the issue, but in written form.
The letter was read by the committee secretary for the record.
“As stated in the attached letter dated 30 August 2022, I regret to inform the Senate that per instructions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. I will not be able to attend the hearings of the abovementioned committees,” the letter read.
“However, in recognition of the mandate of the Senate, and with my intention to extend all possible and necessary assistance to its members to shed light on the matter, I would like to reiterate that the undersigned is willing to answer written inquiries directly related to the unauthorized issuance Sugar Order No. 4,” Rodriguez further said.
The Senate blue ribbon was to hold the third installation of its inquiry on the sugar mess on Tuesday. Rodriguez was present during the first one.
Marcos order ‘concerning’
Rodriguez’s justifications for his absence, however, did not sit well with opposition senator Risa Hontiveros, who said it is “concerning” that the President is instructing him to not attend the panel’s hearings.
“Concerning ito. On what basis ini-instruct ni Presidente ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bureaucracy na hindi dumalo sa pagdinig ng isang Senate Committee, the Blue Ribbon committee at that?” she asked.
(This is concerning. On what basis is the President instructing the highest ranking official in the bureaucracy not to attend the Senate blue ribbon committee’s hearings?)
She likewise called out how, “in effect,” Rodriguez is “dictating” the blue ribbon panel on how he will answer queries of the senators, further saying that the Executive Secretary is not respecting the panel.
“Bakit po mayroon tayong invited resource person na, in effect, nagdidikta sa Blue Ribbon in what way siya sasagot ng mga tanong?” the senator said.
(Why do we have an invited resource person who, in effect, is dictating the panel in what way he will answer the queries?)
“Bakit written lang ang pasagot nila? Bakit hindi nila nirerespeto ang imbitasyon ng Blue Ribbon since the beginning of the Blue Ribbon na pinauunlakan ang imbitasyon ng mga resource person?” she added.
(Why is his answer only written? Why are they not respecting the blue ribbon committee that since the beginning has been inviting resource persons in its hearings?)
With this, Hontiveros motioned to issue a subpoena against Rodriguez to compel him to attend the Senate blue ribbon hearings, even via Zoom.
The panel, considering that this is a “sensitive issue,” held an executive session on the matter, after which accepted the motion of Hontiveros.