BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) joined the employees of the Sugar Regulatory Administration in supporting the temporary appointment of Atty. Ignacio Santillana as SRA Officer-in-Charge, pending announcement of a new head by President and temporary Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica is reportedly not stepping down yet, stating that his position was not covered by the Memorandum Circular 1 from the Office of the President that states all appointed officials must vacate their posts to give the new administration a leeway to appoint their own people.
In compliance with directive issued by President Marcos, SRA deputy administrators Guillermo Tejida III, Brando Noroña and Ignacio Santillana promulgated a joint memorandum that designated Santillana as officer in charge (OIC) of the SRA, effective July 4.
Tejida said that SRA employees also issued a manifesto expressing their support to Santillana.
In a statement, UNIFED president Manuel Lamata said that Serafica is a “disgrace” to the sugar industry.
Lamata said that this is the first time in its history that an appointed SRA administrator defied the orders of a sitting president.
“It is very embarrassing and proves our suspicions that Serafica has a different agenda for hanging on to a post that he should have long vacated. He has done more damage to the sugar industry than any administrator and this recent pathetic move from him shows he has a personal agenda,” Lamata added.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson describes Santillana as an old timer at the SRA.
Santillana is a native of Manapla, Negros Occidental.
It’s an answer to the call that a Negrense should head the SRA, Lacson said, apparently referring to Santillana.
As to squabble of SRA leadership, Lacson said “Let them settle the issue.”
A call for unity among sugar industry stakeholders was made after Serafica vacated his post last July 2.
“This recent move from him (Serafica) is not helping our industry that is beset with a lot of problems especially at this time,” Lamata said.*
