Ombudsman set to probe BPI chief Clarito Barron over garlic cartel

Office of the Ombudsman. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

The Ombudsman has recommended an investigation into the involvement of Bureau of Plan Industry (BPI) director Clarito Barron over the alleged anomalous issuances of garlic import permits that gave way to a garlic cartel.

In a statement released last Wednesday, the Field Investigation Office (FOI) recommended to the Ombudsman a preliminary investigation on Barron for violating Section 3(b) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

According to its investigation, the fact-investigating team has a vegetable importer/exporter who testified that “the giving of money or payment to secure import permits has been a prevalent practice in the BPI.”

The said witness also told the Ombudsman investigators that he went to Barron’s office last July 2012 and paid him P240,000 for the release and approval of two import permits.

“The permits will not be processed unless there is a note or input from Barron allowing the permits to be processed,” the witness was quoted in the statement as saying.

The Ombudsman would also investigate Barron’s administrative adjudication for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.

The FOI in its complaint asked the Ombudsman to place Barron under preventive suspension pending investigation.

The graft charge against Barron stemmed from giving undue advantage for the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association of the Philippines, headed by an alleged dummy importer Leah Cruz.

Cruz was the subject of a House inquiry on an alleged scam within the garlic industry. She is accused of operating a P200 million garlic and onion import scam by using dummy companies owned by her drivers, clerks and house helpers. RAM

RELATED STORIES

Gov’t officials, traders face raps for garlic price surge

Bureau of Plant Industry chief relieved over garlic price hike fiasco