Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) administrator David Thaddeus Alba has stepped down from his post due to health reasons, SRA board member Pablo Azcona revealed on Friday.
His resignation comes amid the issue of the controversial importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar inside the Department of Agriculture (DA).
"Kami po sa board, we were informed po last Monday sa regular board meeting namin na he submitted his resignation due to health reasons [We at the board, we were informed last Monday during our regular board meeting that he submitted his resignation due to health reasons]," Azcona said in an interview with another media outlet.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said Alba met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to inform him of his resignation.
"ES Bersamin persuaded him not to, but he reasoned his worsening health condition" the statement read, adding that his resignation will take effect on April 15 upon the directive of the President.
Marcos appointed Alba in August 2022 following the resignation of then SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, who stepped down from his position in the wake of the issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 authorizing the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.
BASAHIN: Narito ang pahayag ng pamahalaan sa pagbitiw ni G. David John Thaddeus Alba sa kanyang posisyon bilang Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator. pic.twitter.com/7ohDbxj4Vl
— Presidential Communications Office (@pcogovph) March 24, 2023