DOJ names DA officials facing raps over onion smuggling

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday identified three Department of Agriculture (DA) officials allegedly involved in hoarding onions and engaging in profiteering in December last year when prices soared to P587 per kilo.

In a press briefing, Remulla said the Department of Justice will file graft and corruption charges against DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista and Bureau of Plant Industry officers-in-charge Junibert de Sagun and Glenn Panganiban.

Administrative cases will also be filed against the three officials for inefficiency and incompetence.

Remulla recalled that the National Bureau of Investigation filed criminal charges against six persons last month, which included the three DA officials and Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative, for hoarding and profiteering.

The new cases include falsification of private documents and use of falsified documents.