MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque is ready to file charges against former National Food Authority Administrator Jason Aquino, who has been blamed for the rising prices and dwindling supply of rice in the country.
Roque said he wants to file a graft case against Aquino for not using food security funds to buy rice from local farmers and to augment the country's buffer stock.
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"If nobody files a case, I myself would. I will file not just technical malversation but graft because causing injury to the public and to the government is also graft," the presidential spokesman said.
"Because he did not use the funds to buy rice from local farmers and to augment our buffer stock, we are now importing rice and giving money to foreign farmers... I will also file graft and corruption cases against him," he added.
Roque said he might already have left the Cabinet by the time he files the case. The presidential spokesman is believed to be eyeing a senatorial run next year.
Roque said he wants Aquino to languish in jail because his inaction had affected the livelihood of many people.
"Maliit lang po ang parusa sa technical malversation. Gusto ko iyong matagal ang kulong. (The punishment against those who committed technical malversation is light. I want him to remain in jail for a long time)," he added.
Agricultural group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura has filed a complaint against Aquino and NFA accounting services manager Gerry Ambrosio for technical malversation and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Office of the Ombudsman.
SINAG cited a Commission on Audit report stating that NFA had used P3.01 billion intended for its food security program subsidy to offset guarantee fees and contribution to debt reserve funds while P2.09 billion was used to settle loans to the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines.
Critics said the food security program funds should have been used to ensure there is enough supply of rice in the country.
Earlier this month, Duterte said Aquino had "requested" that he be removed as NFA chief because of a rift with fellow officials.
Roque said the rice supply issues had eclipsed the achievements of the Duterte administration.
"What is wrong is wrong. What is illegal is illegal. Whether he is a fellow cabinet member, a government employee or an ally of the administration, those who misuse public funds should be held accountable before the law," he said.