Rodriguez to skip next Senate hearing on sugar fiasco, says Tolentino

Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez will skip the third Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the controversial Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4), Senator Francis Tolentino said Wednesday.

According to Nimfa Ravelo’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, Tolentino said he received a letter from Rodriguez on Tuesday informing the Senate panel of his absence from the next committee hearing due to conflict with his schedule.

Rodriguez explained he would focus on the preparations for the upcoming overseas trips of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who is slated to visit Indonesia, Singapore, and the US next week.

The official, in his letter, also said he had already answered the senators’ questions on the alleged unauthorized issuance of SO 4, which would have allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar into the country.

Rodriguez added the resolution was only drafted and never materialized and that he is one with the Senate in addressing corruption.

Tolentino, for his part, announced the next and final hearing on the sugar fiasco will be on Tuesday, September 6.

While he is “open” to other senators inviting Rodriguez for another hearing, the legislator remained firm on his decision to issue a partial report based on the findings of the three Congressional inquiries.

Last week, former Agriculture undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian said he signed SO 4 based on the authority given to him by Rodriguez through a memorandum.

It can be recalled Rodriguez attended the first hearing of the Senate body but was not asked follow-up questions on his explanations because he had to leave early for a Cabinet meeting.

Rodriguez did not attend the second hearing yesterday, August 30. — BM, GMA News