Sebastian says Marcos still hasn't accepted his resignation

Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian said Tuesday he is still on a 90-day preventive suspension as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has yet to accept his resignation offer.

Sebastian disclosed this after Senator Risa Hontiveros inquired about his reported resignation amid the controversy involving Sugar Order No. 4 (SO 4), which would have allowed the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar.

"As of now, your honor, I've been informed that I am on a preventive suspension for 90 days," Sebastian said at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.

Hontiveros then asked Sebastian to clarify if this means Malacañang has yet to accept his resignation.

"So hindi po tinanggap o hindi pa tinatanggap 'yung resignation ninyo (So they did not accept or have yet to accept your resignation)?" the senator asked.

"That's correct po," Sebastian responded.

Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Francis Tolentino then asked Sebastian to provide the panel a copy of the prevention suspension order which the latter committed to submit.

At the latter part of the hearing, Senator Raffy Tulfo inquired if Sebastian's resignation was irrevocable.

Sebastian said it was not.

"That was not in my mind at that time, your honor, but it can also be like that, your honor," the DA official said.

On August 12, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles said Sebastian has resigned from his post as undersecretary for operations and chief of staff to the Secretary of Agriculture after the alleged unauthorized issuance of SO 4.

Cruz-Angeles said Sebastian apologized to Marcos for having signed SO 4 without the expressed approval of the latter, who as DA secretary, is also the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board.

“I sincerely offer my apologies, Your Excellency, for my having approved Sugar Order No. 4 on your behalf, and through the authority you have vested upon me," Sebastian said in a copy of the letter he sent Marcos.

"It has become clear that the same was not in keeping with your administration's desired direction for the sugar industry. I take accountability and responsibility for its consequences," he added.—AOL, GMA News