Senators demand ex-SRA chief Serafica to physically attend probe on Sugar Order 4

Senators on Tuesday demanded former Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica to physically attend the Senate blue ribbon committee's first hearing on the  controversy involving Sugar Order No. 4 (SO 4).

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa first made a motion asking the panel to require Serafica's physical presence at the hearing.

Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Francis Tolentino then questioned Serafica's failure to attend the investigation when he was able to attend a parallel probe at the House of Representatives.

"Ito tanong ni Senator Dela Rosa. Sa House umaattend ka bakit sa Senate ayaw mo umattend?" Tolentino asked.

Serafica explained that he was not able to comply with the revised health protocols being implemented by the Senate because he was stuck in traffic on Monday night and he was not able to process the requirements.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada then raised that the Senate could facilitate COVID-19 antigen tests for Serafica so he can physically attend the proceedings.

The Senate panel moved to direct the resigned SRA chair to appear before the committee before noon Tuesday.

"The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee directs you to proceed to the second floor of the Senate premises now. You're just in Parañaque which is just a few minutes away. We expect you to be here before 12 o'clock," Tolentino said.

Last week, Serafica resigned from his post following the alleged unauthorized issuance of SO 4 which provides for the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar amid the increasing prices of the basic commodity.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles earlier tagged the order as "illegal," saying the Sugar Regulatory Board convened and issued the resolution without the approval of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who currently sits as Agriculture secretary and also the board's chairperson.

The Senate is investigating the alleged illegal issuance of SO 4 after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri delivered a privilege speech calling on the Senate blue ribbon committee to investigate the matter. — RSJ, GMA News