Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. will temporarily lead the National Food Administration (NFA) following the preventive suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against 139 NFA officials and employees over their alleged involvement in the controversial sale of rice buffer stocks.
Sec. Tiu Laurel said this is to avoid delays in the services and projects of the agency. He urged all NFA employees to continue their regular duties during this period.
The Secretary stressed that the Department is closely working with the Office of the Ombudsman in the ongoing investigation. DA has formed a special panel of internal investigators to probe the allegations against the officials.
“Kinokondena at hindi palalampasin ang anumang uri ng korapsyon. Kaisa ako ng Ombudsman sa layunin nitong alamin ang katotohanan at parusahan ang dapat maparushan,” he said. ### (photos by Alan Jay Jacalan, DA-AFID/Jay Morales, DA-OSEC)
