NFA officials in questioned rice sale appeal suspension

National Food Authority (NFA) officials who are facing complaints in connection with the sale of NFA rice to traders without public bidding on Thursday appealed their suspension before the Ombudsman.

More than 130 NFA officials are facing raps for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and committing conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Roderico Bioco, one of those who were suspended, has told a congressional inquiry that the sale of NFA rice to two private entities sans was done above board.

"This is a regular function of disposing. It is exempted from public bidding, your honor, because of a COA (Commission on Audit) circular," Bioco said.

"We have orders from the regional offices to dispose of the aging stocks. They make the recommendations, qualifications, and requirements for those interested in buying. We followed guidelines," he added. 

A day after the congressional inquiry, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said that some officials and employees of the National Food Administration (NFA) who were preventively suspended over the alleged sale of rice at a loss to favored traders have taken leaves from work.

Martires also said the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation of the alleged NFA rice sale was motu proprio or initiated on its own.

The NFA also earlier defended the sale of the said rice stocks, saying it only fulfilled its mandate of disposing of its rice in good and consumable condition, and that it has responsibly released its supply by stretching to maximum shelf-life and minimizing the sale of residual volume to other accounts. —NB, GMA Integrated News