Agri exec probed for garlic import permits

The office of the Ombudsman on Thursday said it was investigating Clarito Barron, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director who is accused of demanding money for the fraudulent issuance of import permits for garlic.

The Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) recommended that Barron be investigated following reports of an alleged cartel controlling the supply of garlic which led to an unprecedented surge in the price of imported garlic in 2014.

In January last year, the National Bureau of Investigation filed a complaint in the Ombudsman for direct bribery, profiteering, price manipulation, falsification and obstruction of justice against Barron and 126 others, including BPI officials.

“Barron may be held administratively liable as his actions fell short of that stringent standard of conduct demanded from every one connected with the government,” the FIO said.

The Ombudsman said a vegetable trader, which it did not identify, had admitted to having given “grease” money “or payment to secure import permits,” a practice that it said was prevalent at the BPI.

“The witness narrated having gone to the office of Barron in July 2012 and handing him P240,000 in exchange for the release and approval of two import permits, with each permit costing P120,000,” it said.

Citing the witness’ testimony, it said the import permits “will not be processed unless there is a note or input from Barron allowing the permits to be processed.”

The FIO also asked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to order Barron’s preventive suspension from office until the investigation against him has been concluded.

Barron could be charged for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and face administrative liability for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

According to the Ombudsman, the offense of direct bribery is committed by government officials who receive “directly or through another, some gift or present, offer or promise, in consideration of the commission of some crime or any act not constituting a crime, or refrain from doing an official duty.”

The antigraft law bars public officers from “directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction.”