NFA chief quits, cites ‘failing health’

MANILA, Philippines - National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Arthur Juan has resigned amid allegations of extortion.

Presidential adviser for food security and agricultural modernization Francis Pangilinan said he received Juan’s irrevocable resignation Thursday afternoon “with regret and sadness.”

“He cited failing health as the reason for his stepping down. I continue to believe he is innocent of the charges brought against him. This is a temporary setback in our reform efforts and it will not stop us from pursuing sweeping reforms in the NFA and the rice trade in the country,” Pangilinan said.

Juan and his assistant Patricia Galang were accused of extorting P15 million from Jomerito Soliman, a rice trader whom the NFA charged with profiteering and violation of NFA rules.

Juan and Galang denied the allegations, saying it was Soliman’s way of getting back at them for the reforms that they instituted at the NFA.

Pangilinan said he informed President Aquino about Juan’s resignation yesterday morning. Aquino said he and Pangilinan “will meet as soon as possible to discuss and decide the next steps.”

Juan wanted to resign as early as August because of the extortion allegations but Pangilinan prevailed upon him, saying that the accusations could be fabricated.

Malacañang earlier denied that the President already accepted Juan’s resignation. The Palace said it would let the investigation into the alleged extortion at the NFA take its course.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was quoted as saying that it was the President who ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe Juan and Galang.

Amid the food problems besetting the Philippines, Aquino appointed Juan, a former San Miguel Foods Inc. president as NFA administrator on June 18. – Aurea Calica, Louella Desiderio