DA exec faces complaint over sugar imports

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban is facing a complaint for graft and usurpation of authority over alleged illegal importation of refined sugar last February.

In a 16-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday, the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry-Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Council and the Alternatiba ng Masa party-list said Panganiban must be held liable for violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits a public official from giving unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to a private party.

The complainants also accused Panganiban of usurpation of official functions or authority under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

The complainants said that on Feb. 9, 260x20 feet containers of refined sugar, allegedly owned by All Asian Countertrade Inc., arrived at Batangas Port without import permits.

To supposedly “cure” the apparent smuggling, the complainants said Panganiban issued Sugar Order (SO) No. 6 dated Feb. 15.

The complainants said Panganiban usurped the official function of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) that has the sole authority to issue an SO.?Furthermore, the complainants said Panganiban also issued a Memorandum on Feb. 27, directing SRA administrator David John Thaddeus Alba to issue a clearance for the release of imported sugar by All Asian Countertrade Inc. (240,000 metric tons) and two other importers – Edison Lee Marketing Corp. (100,000 MT) and S&D Sucden Philippines Inc. (100,000 MT).

“This memorandum which was signed by respondent Panganiban even mentions the smuggled sugar which was imported by All Asian Countertrade Inc., and specifically orders its inclusion and release,” the groups said in their complaint.

“Moreover, the 440MT of sugar allowed by respondent Panganiban to be imported into our country in SO6 was right smack in the middle of the harvest season of our sugar planters. By allowing such huge bulk of sugar to be imported during this time lowered the price of sugarcane being sold by our sugar planters,” they added.

“Worse, only three huge importers benefitted from the assailed SO6 – and one of them is even a smuggler!” the complainants said