BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Office of the Ombudsman will continue investigating former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head Hermenegildo Serafica, former SRA board members Roland Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, as well as former agriculture undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, despite being cleared by the Office of the President in the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4).
In an interview with GMA Super Radyo dzBB, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said their investigation is still ongoing, although they will remain mum on the conduct for now.
He pointed out that their investigation is different and independent from that of the Office of the President.
Martires also said the Office of the President’s decision would not affect the Ombudsman’s probe of the case.
“Kung sa tingin namin, [if] there is probable cause to file a complaint against these officials before the Sandiganbayan, there is a violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, I don’t care what Malacañang says,” Martires added.
Last week, Valderrama told Panay News that the dismissal of the charges against him and the others was “a vindication that he has always prayed for and believed in.”
Valderrama, along with the three other officials’ cases, stemmed from the issuance of SO4, which would have mandated the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar.
The order was not approved by Marcos.
Last year, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the signatories of the controversial SO4./PN
