Sebastian’s return to DA not ruled out after being absolved from sugar importation mess

Former Department of Agriculture undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian (Joseph Vidal and Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines – Former Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian may return to the department after he and other Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board members were absolved by the Malacañang from any liability in the sugar importation fiasco last year.

Rex Estoperez, deputy spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said this on Thursday after the Office of the President (OP) dismissed the administrative complaint for Sebastian, former SRA board administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and board members Roland Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr.

The DA, according to Estoperez, respects the OP ruling that cleared the officials from the grave misconduct, gross or serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service charges filed against them.

READ: Ex-officials of DA, SRA in sugar importation mess absolved

Asked if this means a return for Sebastian in the DA, Estoperez said this possibility was already being discussed within the department.

“Iyan ang pinagusapan namin sa DA–kung anong position or kung anong sitwasyon kung sakaling babalik po (That’s what we’re talking about in the DA–what position or what situation will be in should he return),” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

Estoperez also urged Sebastian to seek an audience with the OP to determine the way forward on this matter.

The 10-page decision of the OP – signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin with the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – said the foiled importation of 300,000 metric tons of refined sugar in August 2022 was “done in good faith, absent any showing that the respondents were aware of their lack of authority.”

Senator Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that earlier recommended charges against the four officials, said that their clearance “does not affect” their findings.

READ: Senate OKs panel recommendations on sugar import fiasco

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, meanwhile, said the OP was “being really objective in this case.”

“This will at least give them and their families a chance to repair their image and reputation,” he noted.

The Senate Minority, made up of Pimentel and Senator Risa Hontiveros, had likewise pointed out in their report that the implicated officials acted in “good faith” and that recommendations to charge them “are lacking factual and legal basis.”

READ: Rodriguez ‘not entirely blameless’ in sugar import mess — Senate minority report

Estoperez then called on the public to respect the decision of the OP.

“Nag-present na iyong ibang sides ng kanilang panig at iyan, napagdesisyunan po iyan. So let’s respect na lang po, sa ngayon, ang kanilang desisyon na iyan (The different sides have been presented, and it was decided on. So let’s respect this decision as of now.),” he added.

JMS