MANILA, Philippines — The investigation into the alleged illegal sale of rice to some traders by the National Food Authority will not be affected despite the dismissal of former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Demosthenes Escoto, who headed the probe panel.
At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said Willie Ann Angsiy, director of the DA legal service, and Assistant Secretary James Layug, head of the Project Management Office, would continue the probe.
De Mesa said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. would announce the new head of the probe panel.
“In the meantime, the two remaining members of the panel will continue the investigation into the issue,” De Mesa said.
The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Escoto for grave misconduct in connection with BFAR’s procurement of communication equipment in 2018.
Tiu-Laurel announced the appointment of Isidro Velayo Jr. as BFAR officer-in-charge.