That the resigned DA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian is made the scapegoat for incompetence by two high government officials, who accused him of an illegal act of allegedly usurping the authority of the President in signing Sugar Order 4 authorizing the importation of 300 metric tons of sugar, is as clear as the morning sunlight as shown by the analysis on the controversial issue on the basis of the following circumstances:
1. The 15 July 2022 memorandum issued by the Executive Secretary “By Authority of the President” designating Mr. Sebastian as Undersecretary for Operations and Chief of Staff of the Secretary of Agriculture, and giving him additional function and authority to sign contracts, resolutions and administrative issuances apart from naming as ex-officio chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, among others.
2. The memorandum dated 5 August 2022 issued by Mr. Sebastian, sent to and received by the Executive Secretary recommending the importation of 300 metric tons of sugar owing to its shortage, with the attached draft of Sugar Order 4;
3. The meetings on 1 and 4 August 2022 between Messrs. Sebastian, Valderama and resigned chairperson of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, the Executive Secretary, and the President;
4. The subject of discussion of the 1 and 2 August meetings was the sugar shortage and the need to import sugar to fill up the shortfall;
5. The false, misleading, reckless and irresponsible statement by the Press Secretary that Mr. Sebastian and the SRA members committed an illegal act in issuing Sugar Order 4, despite the existence of a delegated power contained in the 15 July 2022 memorandum of the Executive Secretary expressly giving Mr. Sebastian the authority to perform acts necessary to carry out the objectives and programs of the Department of Agriculture and its efficient operation;
6. The statement of the Press Secretary that the Executive Secretary had no prior knowledge of the issuance of Sugar Order 4;
7. The admission by the Executive Secretary made before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that it was he who asked Mr. Sebastian to prepare the importation plan and to draft Sugar Order 4 authorizing the importation of 300 metric tons of sugar;
8. The admission by the Executive Secretary that he did not respond to the memorandum of 4 August 2022 addressed to the President sent to him by Mr. Sebastian recommending to the President the importation of the 300 metric tons of sugar attaching thereof the draft order;
9. The admission of the Executive Secretary that he received two test messages from Mr. Sebastian inquiring as to the status of the said recommendation of the Sugar Regulatory Administration on the said importation;
10. The admission by the Executive Secretary that he did not respond to the said 4 August 2022 memorandum of Mr. Sebastian requesting guidance and approval of the importation of 300 metric tons of sugar;
11. The immediate tendering of resignation of Mr. Sebastian on 10 August 2022 upon being informed by the President that the latter did not approve of the sugar importation;
(To be continued)