Two executives of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) stepped down from their posts amid the aborted sugar importation controversy.
Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday, Aug. 16, the resignation of SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and Board Member and miller's representative Roland Beltran.
The new development brings to three the SRA officials who have tendered their resignation amid the issue.
In separate letters from Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez dated Aug. 15, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. accepted the resignation of Serafica and Beltran.
Documents from Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez confirm the resignation of Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and Sugar Board member Roland Beltran amid the 'illegal' sugar importation order mess. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/nlkFcCJhRR
— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) August 16, 2022
They were among the officials who signed the unauthorized resolution, allowing the importation of an additional 300,000 metric tons of sugar, which was neither signed nor approved by the President.
According to the letters of acceptance, Serafica tendered his resignation on Aug. 10 while Beltran sent his on Aug. 14.
This came after Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian's resignation was also made public following the discovery of the unauthorized resolution.
Sebastian resigned as undersecretary for operations and chief of staff to the DA Secretary, the President’s concurrent position, on Aug. 11.
All this happened amid the ongoing investigation launched by the Palace to look into the extent of accountability for the illegal order, which it branded as a hasty decision made despite the administration’s stance on importing agricultural goods: to import as little as possible and boost local production.