Roque ready to file charges vs ex-NFA administrator

September 25, 2018

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday he was ready to file technical malversation and graft complaints against former National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino.

Roque said this was an option he was contemplating if no other individuals would file a complaint against Aquino, whom he blamed for the country's rice problem.

"It's not only technical malversation. I will also file graft because causing injury to the public and to the government is also a graft," he said.

He said under Aquino's leadership, NFA failed to buy produce of the local farmers to increase rice buffer.

Currently, he said the government is now importing rice, benefitting foreign farmers.

"To set the record straight, I will file more charges. And the penalty for technical malversation is light. I want (a complaint) with a longer imprisonment," Roque said.

"I have not accused him of actual financial graft because I do not know. However, I promise to look into it soon," he said.

Roque said there were also some importers who were preparing to sue Aquino because despite the authority given to him by the NFA Council, he still delayed the importation because of his preference to government-to-government scheme.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced that Aquino asked that he be relieved from NFA post.

Some areas in Mindanao had recorded a sudden spike in the prices of rice due to the absence of government-subsidized rice in the market. Celerina Monte/DMS