Abad was actually promoted - Bunye

It’s now official; Anthony Abad is out of the National Food Authority (NFA).

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye announced yesterday that President Arroyo has accepted the resignation of Abad as NFA administrator. Bunye added that Abad will be given a "higher responsibility" in an undisclosed government agency.

Bunye did not identify Abad’s successor, but sources said he would merely swap positions with Arthur Yap, president of the state-run Philippine International Trade Corp. (PITC).

In a statement, Bunye quoted the President as citing Abad for "unselfish dedication" exhibited during his tenure at the NFA.

Abad and Yap were both former students of Mrs. Arroyo at the Ateneo de Manila where she taught economics.

The President has repeatedly reprimanded Abad for his shortcomings as NFA chief, and Malacañang sources said this could be the main reason for his ouster.

Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo felt that Abad was more of a technocrat than a bureaucrat, enabling his subordinates at the NFA to run circles around him.

On the other hand, Yap has been in the government service longer than Abad and knows the ins and outs of rice trading, the source said.

He added that Abad’s expertise would be harnessed better at the PITC which operates under the umbrella of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Apparently unaware that the President has decided to sack Abad, NFA employees rallied behind him.

NFA Employees Association spokesman Santi Dasmariñas denied reports that Abad has resigned, saying it was part of a plot by the Palace to set the stage for privatization of the NFA.

Dasmariñas said Abad has even issued a circular informing them that he was not stepping down.

During the weekly Kapihan sa Sulu, Dasmariñas also revealed that NFA employees would join the Sept. 26 walk out being spearheaded by the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) to dramatize their demand for a P3,000 across-the-board salary increase for government workers.

The walk out will be followed by a march and protest rally at the Rizal Park in Luneta, as well as a torch parade and noise barrage in the evening.–Marichu Villanueva, Jose Rodel Clapano