BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Sugar Regulatory Board Member Aurelio Gerardo “Bodie” Valderrama Jr. yesterday maintained that the proposed sugar importation was based on SRA official data, supply and 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, Valderrama, who already submitted his letter of explanation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the need to import to sugar, said.
“The resolutions are on record,” he stressed during a press conference at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.
The Philippine Association of Sugar Refiners Inc., Luzon Federation of Sugarcane Growers Association (Luzon FED), United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED), Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA), Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. (CONFED), National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) and Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers Inc. (Panay FED), all supported the importation of sugar, according to documents presented by Valderrama.
Valderrama said he faced the media to clarify the circumstances behind SO 4, to enlighten the public in the face of judgements and unfounded allegations about a SRA syndicate, about insider “vulture” scheming to corner the market, the alleged illegal Sugar Order, and sadly, “my involvement in this so-called anomaly.”
He pointed out that he did not seek the appointment as Sugar Board Member. But Valderrama said he accepted it, with the intention of bringing the producers’ voice to SRA, and to help craft measures to address industry concerns.
Valderrama also emphasized that he exerted all possible effort to ensure propriety before affixing his signature on the Sugar Order in question, after consulting and showing the copy of SO 4 to CONFED and other sugar group federations.
The Sugar Group also acted as mandated, in faithful observance of accepted procedure, following deliberations, consistent with the President’s request, who is concurrently Secretary of Agriculture and SRA chairman, he added.
Valderrama said that SRA was directed to prepare SO 4 in order to address the problem of low supply and high prices, noting that “everything was in order up to Board Member level,” before he signed it.
“After Atty. (Roland) Beltran (millers’ representative) and Administrator (Hermenegildo) Serafica signed the order, it was submitted to Usec (Leocadio) Sebastian for appropriate action, who signed it for and in behalf of the SRA chairman, President Marcos Jr. I did not know this, nor could I have questioned the act, knowing that Usec Sebastian was the chairman’s authorized alternate,” he said in a prepared statement.
Valderrama admitted that he was shocked when the Presidential spokesperson called the Sugar Order “illegal,” passed without the benefit of a formal meeting and without the President’s authority.
“We will not move if there if there is no specific instructions,” he said, although he did not name names, when pressed on who gave the orders.
Atty. Rafael Ocampo, counsel of Valderrama, claims that SO 4 is not “illegal per se”.
Agriculture Undersecretary Sebastian may act as an alter ego of the President, who has the control and supervision, including his secretaries, so he can approve or disapprove. But it does not mean that it is illegal, Ocampo said, apparently referring to SO 4, that called for the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.
It’s just that he did not agree. But to say it was illegal is not fair, because he (President) can approve or disapprove it, depending on what he sees, what is the right thing to do under the circumstances. he added.
Disputing claims that the country has enough supply of sugar as of this time, Valderrama said “what we have is science-based figures that has been officially given out by SRA.”
In a joint statement, Coca Cola Beverages Philippines Inc, ARC Refreshments Corporation and Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc (PCPPI) said “We confirm our industry is facing a shortage of Premium Refined Sugar – a key ingredient in many of our products.”
It said they are working closely with other stakeholders of the industry and the government to address the situation, and thanked their customers and the public for their continued support to their products, as well as for their understanding.*
