Ombudsman suspends gov't officials over 'anomalous' onion deal. Here's why.

SUMMARY

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ONIONS. A market vendor arranges large size onions imported from China which sells at P350/kilo at Libertad Market in Pasay City on January 17, 2023.

Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman suspended some Department of Agriculture (DA) and Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) officials over an allegedly anomalous onion deal under the government’s Kadiwa program.

In an order, Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued a preventive suspension on the following:

The order said the officials will be suspended without pay “for the duration of the proceedings until the same is terminated, but not to exceed six (6) months.” The suspension also took effect upon the service of the order to the respondents.

But why did the Ombudsman order the suspension?

A complaint was filed against the five officials – and Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and FTI president and chief executive officer Robert Tan – with prayer for their preventive suspension. Basing on the Ombudsman’s order, only five of the respondents were suspended.

The preventive suspension of some DA officials was the latest development in the onion price issue affecting the country.

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Right timing for the Ombudsman, just after the SONA of President Marcos Jr. when the latter promised to go after agricultural products smugglers, hoarders, etc. It seems to project that the Marcos Jr. Administration is quick to act on the issue but when in fact this incident happened January of this year (around six [6] months delay). The incident shows the unsustainability of the Kadiwa program at least for the moment. Perhaps, many will ask, based on the principle of command responsibility – why the Department of Agriculture Secretary is not included?