MANILA, Philippines — Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) administrator David Thaddeus Alba has resigned from his post , Department of Agriculture (DA) deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez said on Friday.
The SRA and the DA have come under suspicion of state-sponsored sugar smuggling after Sen. Risa Hontiveros flagged alleged anomalous importations.
READ: Hontiveros uncovers alleged government-sponsored sugar smuggling
“We in the government come and go, depending also on the pleasure of the appointing authority. Doon sa Sugar Regulatory Administration, unfortunately nag-resign si Administrator Alba, and I am sure may makapalit agad diyan with this, now, yung problem natin sa asukal. Coming from the ranks rin siguro, we hope in the next few days, they will announce that,” said Estoperez in a press conference.
(We in the government come and go, depending also on the pleasure of the appointing authority. For the Sugar Regulatory Administration, unfortunately, Administrator Alba resigned, and I am sure he will immediately be replaced with our problem now with sugar. Coming from the ranks, I suppose, we hope in the next few days, they will announce that).
Alba’s decision will be respected, added Estoperez.
The deputy spokesperson said that the DA and the SRA will continue to collaborate to address sugar issues, as the price of sugar is still one of the drivers of inflation. While the price of sugar has gone down, Estoperez said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still is not satisfied with the lowered prices.
“We have to continuously collaborate and partner for our sugar, and it is important we have to address the prices of sugar in the market,” said Estoperez in English and Filipino.
According to SRA Board member Pablo Azcona, Alba cited health reasons for his resignation.
“Kami po sa board, we were informed po last Monday, sa regular board meeting namin, na he submitted his resignation due to health reasons. Hindi pa naman po kami nag-usap personally, pero yun po ang alam ko,” Board Member Pablo Azcona said in an earlier a radio interview on Dobol B TV.
(We in the board were informed last Monday during our regular board meeting that he submitted his resignation due to health reasons. We have not spoken personally but that is what I know.)
Azcona, however, does not know if Alba’s resignation has been accepted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. This means that Alba is still technically the SRA Administrator.
According to Azcona, a board resolution has already been passed to allow deputy administrators to carry out Alba’s duties.