Roque wants graft filed vs ex-NFA chief

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday he is ready to file graft charges against former National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Jason Aquino, who has been blamed for higher rice prices.

Roque said he wants to file a case against Aquino for failing to use food security funds to buy rice from local farmers to augment the country’s buffer stock.

“If nobody files a case, I will sue him for graft and technical malversation for causing injury to the public and the government,” Roque said. “Because of his inaction, we are importing rice and giving money to foreign farmers.”

Roque said Aquino’s inaction had affected the livelihood of many people.

“The punishment for those who commit technical malversation is light. So I will file a graft case against him,” Roque said.

Agricultural group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura has filed a complaint against Aquino and NFA accounting services manager Gerry Ambrosio for technical malversation and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Office of the Ombudsman.