PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Tuesday, September 25, expressed his intent to file graft and malversation charges against outgoing National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Jason Aquino.
"Kung walang magpa-file, ako mismo ang magpa-file. At hindi lang for technical malversation, papaylan ko rin siya ng graft (If nobody will file it, I will do it myself. And it will not just for technical malversation but also for graft and corruption as well)," Roque said in a press conference.
The Palace official's remarks came a day after Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed that Aquino is at the "center" of the "massive corruption" within the grains agency.
In a privilege speech on Monday, September 24, Hontiveros said Aquino was pocketing some P2 billion yearly from an alleged "tara" or use of grease money system over rice imports.
The country imports around a million tons of rice. Each ton contains 20 bags of rice.
Hontiveros said a tara of P100 to P150 is paid for every bag of imported rice.
Roque said he sought Aquino's long-term imprisonment for "causing injury to the public" for the NFA chief's failure to address the short supply of rice in the country.
"Hindi nga niya ginastos 'yung pera para bumili galing sa mga lokal na magsasaka para may buffer stock tayo. Nag-aangkat tayo ngayon at nag-bibigay ng pera sa mga dayuhang mga magsasaka," he said.
(He did not use the money to buy buffer stock from local farmers. Now, we're importing from and giving money to foreign farmers.)
"To set the record straight, mas marami pa po akong isasampa. At saka maliit lang po ang parusa sa technical malversation. Gusto ko 'yung matagal ang kulong (To set the record straight, I will file many cases. It's weak if you only file technical malversation. I want a long-term imprisonment)," he added.
On September 11, President Rodrigo Duterte announced Aquino's decision to be relieved from post, citing the NFA administrator "was already tired and cannot cope with the workload."
Asked if Duterte shared the same position about the filing of cases against Aquino, Roque said: "Probable not, but this has been confirmed by the Commission on Audit."
Roque emphasized that his plan to file a case against a presidential appointee would not result in conflict.
"Siguro po kapag nag-sampa ako, hindi na ako miyembro ng Gabinete (Perhaps, I am no longer a member of the Cabinet if I file it)," he said.
"The President has reiterated on numerous occasions that his administration will not tolerate even a whiff of corruption. We are merely acting in support of our President's policy," Roque added. (SunStar Philippines)