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[av_heading heading=’But suit seeking Sugar Order No. 3 nullity pushes thru’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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Tuesday, March 14, 2017
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BACOLOD City – A regional trial court (RTC) in Quezon City denied the prayer for a temporary restraining order (TRO) that a beverage company sought against a Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) order regulating the importation of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
However, RTC Branch 98 is pushing through with the civil suit — filed by Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc. — seeking to nullify Sugar Order No. 3, according to SRA administrator Anna Rosario Paner.
The agency is not giving up. “We at SRA remain committed to defending [Sugar Order No. 3] in any [forum],” Paner said in a statement released Monday. “But I still maintain that nobody truly wins in a court battle.”
An injunction hearing was set March 20, when the SRA and Coca-Cola are expected to present their respective witnesses.
“It’s a good day,” Paner said of the court decision. “[This] means Coke was not able to show that all the requirements for a TRO were present.”
She thanked the Department of Agriculture and the sugar industry for the “strong support.” “Personally,” Paner said, “I get my strength from all those who believe we are doing the right thing.”
This may be a “small victory” but it is “a good one,” according to the Confederation of Sugar Producers Cooperative (Confed).
“We are thankful,” said Confed national president Francis de la Rama. But “we must not be complacent … we must remain vigilant … since it’s no joke to be against a multinational [company].”
Sugar Order No. 3 mandates consignees to seek clearance from the SRA before their HFCS and/or chemically pure fructose imports may be released.
The consignees must be SRA-registered international traders, too.
Noncompliance with Sugar Order No. 3 will subject the importer/consignee to penalties under Sugar Order No. 10, as amended by Sugar Order No. 10-A, “without prejudice to any other administrative and/or legal action the SRA may pursue.”/PN
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