Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief David John Alba has tendered his resignation amid yet another importation fiasco.
Alba, who only assumed office in August at the height of the first sugar imports controversy, is leaving his office effective April 15, 2023. The industry executive from Negros is cutting his seven-month stint in government due to “worsening health condition,” Malacañang said.
Alba submitted his resignation letter to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday (March 22).
His departure follows the reported approval of Malacañang for additional sugar volumes well ahead of the SRA’s issuance of a new import order that allowed 400,000 metric tons to be brought in from abroad.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said these transactions were tantamount to smuggling by “favored” traders led by sugar baron Michael Escaler and two others, who were reportedly handpicked by the Department of Agriculture to import a third of the P100-billion sugar market’s needs.