The planters’ representative on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board on Tuesday, August 16, said he leaves the decision on whether he should step down to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid calls for his resignation.
“I will wait for the instructions of the president, I believe that I did not do anything wrong,” said Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” Valderrama Jr. , one the signatories of the controversial Sugar Order No. 4 that would have allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar.
Valderrama said he was appointed to the SRA Board by the president two weeks ago, he did not ask for the position but was recommended by planters and millers’ groups.
“I did not seek the appointment but accepted it with the intention of bringing the producers’ voice to the SRA and to help craft measures to address industry concerns”, he said.
Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” Valderrama Jr. (center) at a press conference at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Tuesday.* Barbara Mijares photo
“I do not need this drama and stress but I was pushed into this, that’s why I call it my call of duty…I am just holding on to the position because I need to clear my name,” Valderrama added.
Valderrama is the last man standing with the three other members of the Board having resigned after SO4 was declared “illegal” by Malacañang for having been issued without the authority and approval of the president.
LETTER TO MARCOS
Valderrama, at a press conference at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City, said he has written to the president to explain what happened.
He told the president “I am at your disposal, if you feel that I need to resign, that I have lost your trust and confidence, you can just tell me any time,” Valderrama said.
“It was the president himself who appointed me here so I leave that decision to him”, he added.
Valderrama also said he supports Congress’ investigation into the issuance of S04.
The proof that there is a sugar crisis and shortage in the country can be seen in it retail prices, he said, pointing out that refined sugar that was selling at P50 a kilo before now cost more than P100.
“That in itself will tell you that there is a crisis, there is a shortage,” he said.
He also said that the planters and millers’ groups issued statements that “they concur that we need to import.”
Valderrama said he has the documents to prove that almost all sugar federations said what was needed was 300,000 MT.
“SO4 is based on facts and proper consultations. The proposed sugar importation was based on SRA’s official data and supply/demand analysis, as well as prevailing high market prices, which established a clear basis for additional imports. This is supported by resolutions from industry stakeholders themselves, including those who now demand our resignation”, he said.
The Sugar Board would not have moved on SO4 if there were no specific instructions, but he cannot reveal the details as an investigation is underway, Valderrama said.
Rafael Ocampo Jr., lawyer of Valderrama, said it is not true that Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian was not authorized to issue SO4.
“The records will speak for themselves, there is a delegation of authority,” that allows the undersecretary to act as the alter ego of the president, he said.
“The president of course has control and supervision…so he can approve or disapprove but it does not mean that it (SO4) is illegal,” he said.
To say that the signing of SO4 is illegal is not fair, Ocampo said.
Valderrama said he stands by his integrity and the truth.
‘TONG-PATS’
On Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s statement that there is “tong-pats” or a corruption scheme involving sugar importation, Valderrama said the matter should be investigated.
If the senator knows about this “tong-pats” he should report it, its better that they investigate that and name the traders or federations who have benefitted from such, Valderrama said.
Valderrama said he was holding a press conference to clarify the circumstances behind SO4 and “to enlighten the public in the face of premature judgments and unfounded allegations about an SRA syndicate, about insider ‘vultures’ scheming to corner the market, about the allegedly ‘illegal’ sugar order and, sadly, about my involvement in this so-called anomaly”.
SUGAR ORDER
SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica told him that they needed to sign SO4 because it had to be submitted to the president as soon as possible, Valderrama said.
Valderrama said he was the last one to sign SO4 because he consulted with some members of the planters groups.
He exerted every possible effort to ensure propriety before affixing his signature on the sugar order in question, Valderrama said.
The Sugar Board also acted as mandated, in faithful observance of accepted procedure following deliberations, consistent with the president’s request, he added.
The president is concurrently Secretary of Agriculture and SRA chairman.
“Everything was in order up to board member level,” he said.
Sebastian then signed it for and in behalf of Marcos who is the SRA Board chairman, Valderrama said. “I did not know this, nor could I have questioned that act, knowing that USec. Sebastian was the chairman’s authorized alternate”, he said.
Valderrama said he was shocked when news came out that the presidential spokesperson called the sugar order “illegal”, passed without the benefit of a formal meeting, and without the president’s authority.
Announcements of an investigation were followed by unfair insinuations and unfounded allegations about “corruption” in the Department of Agriculture and the SRA, he added.
Accepting full responsibility for his alleged misuse of the authority conferred on him, Sebastian has since voluntarily relinquished his post, Valderrama pointed out.
FAIR PROBE
In view of the announced rejection of SO4 and the accusations thrown at the Sugar Board, Valderrama said he has asked that a fast and fair investigation be conducted to establish culpability, if any, among those involved, and to clear the names of those who acted in faithful compliance with their mandates.
Valderrama said he hopes and prays that the president convenes the Sugar Board at the earliest possible time to decide on measures that can best address the current sugar crisis.
“When the appropriate solutions are put in place and a fair investigation is concluded, I as a member of the Sugar Board place myself at the disposal of the president, knowing I served with integrity and hoping that the truth will prevail above all else, in the interest of our stakeholders,” Valderrama said.
Valderrama also said he has no problem talking with Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer who has called for his resignation.
“I have nothing bad to say about the vice governor,” he said.
COSCOLLUELA
Valderrama was joined at the press conference by former SRA administrators Rafael Coscolluela and Gina Martin, Raymond Montinola – Confederation of Sugar Producers president, and other sugarcane planters.
“I don’t agree that the SRA board members should resign pending completion of the investigation. They need to defend their reputations and the propriety of their actions. Leaving now through resignation will just make people think they’re guilty and are escaping,” Coscolluela said.
He also said it is not the sugar producers who are benefitting from today’s excessive prices but the traders, wholesalers and retailers.
There is profiteering and neither the SRA nor the producers can do anything about it, he said, adding that the Department of Trade and Industry should act on the matter.*