The United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) has expressed its support to the temporary appointment of Atty. Ignacio Santillana as officer-in-charge of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, pending the announcement of the new SRA head by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also temporarily sitting as Agriculture secretary.
But SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica is reportedly not stepping down yet, stating that his position is not covered by Memorandum Circular 1 from the Office of the President that directs all appointed officials to vacate their posts to give the new administration a leeway in appointing their own people.
In compliance with the directive issued by President Marcos, SRA deputy administrators Guillermo Tejida III, Brando Noroña, and Ignacio Santillana promulgated a joint memorandum that designated Santillana as OIC of the SRA, effective July 4.
The SRA employees also issued a manifesto expressing their support to Santillana, Tejida said.
“Serafica is a disgrace to the sugar industry,” UNIFED president Manuel Lamata said, adding that this is the first time in its history that an appointed administrator defied the orders of a sitting president.
“It is very embarrassing and proves our suspicions that Serafica has a different agenda for hanging on to a post that he should have long vacated. He has done more damage to the sugar industry than any administrator, and this recent pathetic move from him shows he has a personal agenda,” Lamata added.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that Santillana is an old timer at SRA.
Santillana is a native of Manapla, Negros Occidental.
“It’s an answer to the call that a Negrense will head the SRA,” Lacson said.
As to the squabble on SRA leadership, Lacson said, “Let them settle the issue.”
“This recent move from him (Serafica) is not helping our industry that is beset with a lot of problems, especially at this time,” Lamata said./GB
