Outgoing Sugar Regulatory Administration Acting Administrator David Alba on Saturday dispelled speculations or interpretations of his resignation, claiming it was purely health-related.
Alba cited the “negative toll” that the duties and responsibilities of the acting administrator of the SRA had taken on his health and family life and expressed regret at having to step down.
“I must regrettably resign as the acting administrator in order to preserve my health as well as make a full recovery,” Alba said, adding that he expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the opportunity to serve under his administration.
“Had I been in better health, I would gladly continue with the responsibility entrusted to me by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Alba said.
But not so fast, Alba was told by Senator Risa Hontiveros who asked him to clear first allegations that “preferential treatment” had been given to certain sugar importers.
“We urge former Administrator Alba to come out and speak his truth. We urge others to come out if they have information as well. Otherwise, you will be left holding the bag,” Hontiveros said.
The senator earlier this week alleged that “sugar cartels” of the three main sugar “government-tapped” importers were raking in as much as P4 billion from selling the commodity at “outrageous” prices.
“Selling sugar at P85 per kilo is outrageous. If you are a reasonable importer, you know that you will already get a decent profit if you sell sugar at P61 per kilo,” Hontiveros had said.
She was referring to All Asian Countertrade, Sucden Philippines Inc., and Edison Lee Marketing Corporation.
A couple of days later, Malacañang confirmed the resignation of Alba, citing his “worsening health.”
“If the resignation is due to his failing health, then I wish him a speedy recovery. But many sugar insiders believe that this is a clear sign that Mr. Alba has seen that Sugar Regulatory Administration is only being used as a rubber stamp to legitimize the preferential treatment given to All Asian and the other two importers. The circumstances seem to suggest that,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros also revealed that Alba did not sign the release order for the alleged smuggled sugar, which is currently still held at the port of Batangas.
“What is the SRA for? It’s ironic that we set rigorous guidelines to import sugar for the protection of our local industry, and then we surrender that protection by allowing three traders to violate these guidelines,” she said.
Hontiveros warned that the truth on sugar smuggling will come out in the coming days if the legal division ng Bureau of Customs will only provide details.
“I am also urging Malacanang to strengthen the value chain of agricultural development, not the value chain of corruption,” she said.
But Alba was already moving on based on his statement Saturday as he expressed hope that the gains and programs achieved during his tenure would continue under the next administrator.
“I wish the next Administrator the best, and I hope that gains and programs we have achieved for the sugar industry will continue long into the future,” he said.
Malacañang has yet to announce a replacement for Alba. The Presidential Communications Office said earlier this week that his resignation would take effect on 15 April.
The PCO said Alba met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday, informing him of his resignation, citing health reasons.
“Bersamin persuaded (Alba) not to (resign), but he reasoned his worsening health condition,” the PCO said.
Alba, 59, was general manager of Asociacion de Agricultores de La Carlota y Pontevedra Inc., one of the largest groupings of sugar growers in the nation, before Marcos named him to the top SRA position in August of last year.
The SRA is a division of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which Marcos also leads.