Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10) — Leocadio Sebastian, who was cleared in January after being tagged in the sugar import mess, has been assigned to lead the development of the country’s rice industry, the Office of the President (OP) announced.
In a memorandum dated Feb. 8 but released Friday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Sebastian will be the agriculture undersecretary for rice industry development effective immediately.
He will represent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the concurrent agriculture chief, on rice matters and provide periodic reports to Marcos on the status of the rice industry’s development activities.
Sebastian figured in the controversy after signing Sugar Order No. 4, which allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar without the express approval of Marcos.
He resigned on Aug. 12 last year, a day after Malacañang ordered a probe, but said he was instead placed under preventive suspension.
The official and three other signatories were absolved on Dec. 29 from the administrative complaint the OP lodged against them, but the information was released on Jan. 4.
