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No action on sugar import mess? Tolentino panel vows to go after erring officials

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NO MORE SENSELESS DEATH FROM HAZING: Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino, during the Committee on Justice and Human Rights' investigation Tuesday, March 7, 2023 on the hazing of Adamson University chemical engineering student John Matthew Salilig who died in the hands of his Tau Gamma Phi fraternity brothers, says a law has been passed against any forms of hazing. Tolentino recalled that Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 was enacted after the Senate investigated the death of UST Law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III in 2018 in the hands of Aegis Juris fraternity members. “The current law that we have is stricter than the old anti-hazing law. It prohibited all forms of hazing. It made everyone present at initiation rites punishable by reclusion perpetua, whether actually taking part in hazing or not,” he said. And yet, the hazing of Salilig happened, the senator said, “all in the name of acceptance to the brotherhood." He suggested the need to fine-tune Republic Act 11053 to give more teeth to the law. “Words cannot express how much the families are grieving now, and we are well aware that the outcome of this hearing will no longer bring back the life already lost. So, to give justice not only to the death of Mat-mat Salilig but the other victims of senseless death due to hazing, the goal of this committee is to craft a policy and come up with a legislation that will ensure that no more senseless death like this will ever happen again in the future,” Tolentino said. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines— Senator Francis Tolentino on Wednesday addressed the concerns raised over the “inaction” of the Senate blue ribbon committee in the alleged anomalous sugar importation in the country.

“I understand that there are concerns about the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inaction on the alleged anomalous sugar importation. And I take these allegations seriously, and I believe for me, is violative of our tradition of courtesy,” Tolentino, the panel chairman, said on the Senate floor.

Without mentioning who made the remark against the committee, Tolentino pointed out that it has never reneged on its duties, investigating matters of public interest brought before it.

READ: Hontiveros: Palace must shatter silence on new sugar fiasco

He cited as an example its investigation last year on the same issue of sugar importation that resulted in the filing of cases against erring officials.

“The committee has been working diligently and will continue to do so as its guiding principle,” Tolentino said.

At present, however, he admitted that the “committee’s hands are full” as it just concluded its probe on the alleged human smuggling at the Ninoy Aquino International.

“I want to clarify, Mr. President, that your committee will take action on pressing issues involving malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in office by officers and employees of the government, its branches, agencies, subdivisions, and instrumentalities, and will investigate any matter of public interest laid before it,” said the senator.

“Rest assured that the blue ribbon committee will remain steadfast and committed in its responsibilities. Rest assured that we will hold accountable those who should be held accountable, and punish those who should be punished,” Tolentino further said.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros later stood up in the plenary to attest that Tolentino’s panel is already preparing to investigate another alleged anomaly in sugar importation.

READ: Hontiveros uncovers alleged government-sponsored sugar smuggling

In a resolution filed last month, Hontiveros called on the committee to look into what she called a “government-sponsored sugar smuggling” when a shipment of 260 20-foot containers of sweeteners arrived in the country last month even before an order authorizing it was issued.

READ: Hontiveros: Palace must shatter silence on new sugar fiasco

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