Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian on Tuesday, August claimed that he is under a 90-day preventive suspension and that Malacañang has not yet accepted his resignation.
At the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the sugar importation fiasco, Sebastian disclosed the matter to Sen. Risa Hontiveros after the latter the inquired if his resignation was already accepted by the Marcos administration.
“As of now, your honor, I have been informed that I am on preventive suspension for 90 days,” Sebastian replied in response to Hontiveros’ query.
“So your resignation hasn’t been accepted yet?” Hontiveros asked in Filipino, to which Sebastian responded: “That is correct, your honor.”
“I submitted my resignation letter, your honor, but apparently it was not accepted,” he further told the panel.
When Sen. Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Senate blue ribbon panel asked Sebastian if he has documents to back up his claim, and if he can provide the committee a copy of the 90-day suspension day order, Sebastian said this is already contained in the charge sheet.
Last August 12, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles said Sebastian has resigned from his post as undersecretary for operations and chief of staff to the Secretary of Agriculture for the alleged illegal issuance of the Sugar Order No. 4.
She said Sebastian has apologized to Marcos, who is the concurrent DA Secretary and chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board, for having signed SO No. 4 without the approval of the President.