SRA head Alba: Health reasons sole motive for my resignation

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief David Thaddeus Alba on Saturday dispelled any speculations regarding his resignation, saying health reasons compelled him to do so. 

In a statement, Alba said he resigned from his post in order to “preserve his health and make a full recovery.”

"In as much as I would like to serve the industry, its stakeholders, the President, and most importantly the Filipino people, the duties and responsibilities of being acting administrator have taken a negative toll on my health and family life,” he said.

“I am taking this opportunity to dispel any other interpretations and speculation regarding my resignation and to make it clear that it stems from purely health-related reasons.  Had I been in better health, I would gladly continue with the responsibility entrusted to me by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” he added.

Alba also thanked President Bongbong Marcos for giving him the opportunity to serve under the new administration, and for accepting his resignation.

“I wish the next administrator the best, and I hope that gains and programs we have achieved for the sugar industry will continue long into the future,” he added.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday said Alba informed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin about the resignation last Wednesday.

Upon the directive of the President, Alba's resignation will take effect on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement, the PCO added.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Saturday urged Alba to come out and tell the truth behind his resignation.

“We urge former administrator Alba to come out and speak his truth. We urge others to come out if they have information as well. Baka kung hindi, you will be left holding the bag,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

“Many sugar insiders believe that this is a clear sign that Mr. Alba has seen that SRA is only being used as a rubber stamp to legitimize the preferential treatment given to all Asian and the other two importers. The circumstances seem to suggest that,” she said.

“Basta ang alam natin, sa kabila ng pressure ng Department of Agriculture (DA), ay hindi pumirma si Administrator Alba sa sugar release order para sa mga smuggled na asukal na nakaipit pa rin sa port of Batangas. Mabuhay siya!” Hontiveros pointed out.

(All we know is, despite the pressure from the DA, administrator Alba did not sign the sugar release order for the smuggled commodity that is still stuck in the port of Batangas.)

The senator also wished for Alba’s swift recovery due to his health condition.

In an interview on Dobol B TV earlier in the day, SRA board member Pablo Luis Azcona said Alba's resignation was announced during their regular board meeting last Monday.

Pressed in the resignation is connected with the controversial importation of 400,000 metric tons of sugar, Azcona, who represents planters in the board, said all he's heard is that Alba is having problems with his blood pressure.

Azcona said a board resolution has been passed allowing the three deputy administrators to assume the various duties and functions of the administrator. —LBG, GMA Integrated News