Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) — The Office of the Ombudsman said it would proceed with its own investigation into the supposed illegal issuance of Sugar Order Number 4.
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This after Malacañang’s decision to clear former agriculture and sugar regulators over the matter.
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READ: Ex-DA, SRA officials absolved from sugar import mess
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“We are not affected by whatever the president says because we are investigating, we are an independent body,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires told CNN Philippines.
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The controversial order would have allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar without the approval of the president.
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Martires said he initiated the probe sometime last year, around the same time the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee carried out its own probe on the sugar importation order.
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“Parang COA, ‘pag sinabi ng COA na meron kang notice of disallowance [It’s like COA, when the COA says you have a notice of disallowance], not even Malacañang can say no. That’s why we are independent constitutional bodies eh,” Martires explained.
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On surging onion prices
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Martires is seeking an explanation from officials of the Department of Agriculture and Food Terminal Incorporated on what may have caused a spike in the farmgate prices of onions.
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“We’re just getting some info from the senior usec (undersecretary) ng DA and from the FTI. Then from there we would know sino mga dapat kasuhan, sino yung mga involved [who should be charged, who are involved],” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said.
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He said he gave them three days upon receipt of the letter to submit their response with supporting documents. The letter was sent on Tuesday.
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“Titignan namin iyon [We will look into that]. They have to tell us the reasons why mataas ang prices [prices are high]. We will just wait for their explanation,” Martires said.
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The Ombudsman is hoping individuals asked to explain the issue will respond accordingly. Otherwise, he would have no choice but to take legal remedies available to his office.
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