Another Sugar Order 4 signatory resigns from post

One of the signatories to the controversial Sugar Order No. 4 has tendered his resignation.

Atty. Roland Beltran, a Sugar Regulatory Board member, cited health reasons for his resignation.

"Yes, I submitted my resignation," Beltran told GMA News Online in a message.

In his letter dated August 14 and addressed to Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, Beltran said his resignation "is without prejudice to any investigation that may be conducted in connection with the issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 s. 2022-2223."

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) had released Sugar Order 4, which provided for the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar amid the increasing prices of the basic commodity.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, however, deemed the order illegal, saying that the Sugar Regulatory Board convened and issued a resolution without the approval of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who, as Agriculture secretary, also sits as chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board.

Beltran said his vote was "conditional subject to compliance of the provisions of laws, rules and regulations and the internal processes of SRA."

"The action is thus withdrawn and negated due to non-compliance of the conditions set forth therein," Beltran said in his resignation letter.

Meanwhile, asked if the Palace accepted his resignation, Beltran said: "Let's wait for them to make the announcement."

GMA News Online has reached out to Malacañang regarding Beltran's resignation but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, who appears to have signed the Sugar Order, has since apologized and resigned. —KBK, GMA News