Nacusip files graft charges against Panganiban on sugar importation

THE National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (Nacusip)-Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Council and the Alternatiba ng Masa party-list filed graft charges against Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged illegal importation of sugar.

In a press release given by Roland Dela Cruz, national president of Nacusip, the groups accused Panganiban of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code on usurpation of authority or official functions.

The case is in relation to what the groups dubbed as the "Sugar smuggling fiasco" last February, where Panganiban allegedly allowed the importation of sugar without official authority to do so, and allegedly "legitimized" smuggled sugar belonging to All Asian Countertrade Inc.

The groups alleged that on February 9, 260×20ft containers containing sugar arrived in Batangas Port without import permits, allegedly owned by All Asian Countertrade Inc.; however, Usec. Panganiban thereafter issued Sugar Order No. 6 and effectively "cured" the lack of permit for the said importation by issuing a Memorandum and referring to the said shipment of All Asian Countertrade Inc.

"Sugar farmers and workers in the sugar industry have been gravely affected by the sudden influx of imported sugar in the market," the groups claimed.

They further claimed that the situation was aggravated by the fact that “what entered our country is smuggled sugar, seemingly facilitated by none other than a senior official of the Department of Agriculture. We cannot let this pass.”

Elijah San Fernando, secretary-general of Alternatiba party-list, also said that "it is deeply troublesome and bothersome how the government agency tasked to protect our sugar farmers seem to be the one in cahoots with smuggling syndicates to the detriment of the Filipino people. They are not just depriving the government of much needed taxes, but also depriving our sugar, he lamented.”*