DA exec denies extortion

MANILA, Philippines - An embattled official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday denied taking bribes following allegations made by presidential assistant for food security and agriculture modernization Francis Pangilinan.

Pangilinan claimed that DA chief-of-staff Dennis Guerrero and former National Food Authority (NFA) administrator Orlan Calayag were among officials who coerced Vietnam Southern Food Corp. (Vinafood II) into accepting cargo firm Avega Brothers Integrated Shipping Corp. as its contractor for the transport of 205,000 metric tons (MT) of rice in April.

He said that NFA officials received a bribe of $3 per MT in exchange for favoring Avega Bros.

At the time of importation, Guerrero was special executive assistant of Calayag, who was also tagged in the alleged anomaly. Calayag now serves as agriculture assistant secretary for policy.

“I vehemently deny the accusation,” said Guerrero in a press briefing.

He said the importations undertaken by the NFA then under the leadership of Calayag were found to be aboveboard by investigations conducted by the Senate, the House of Representatives and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Guerrero said Pangilinan “has not offered any proof that there was any payoff.”

Pangilinan has reportedly said that an investigation would be launched against Guerrero and Calayag for the supposed anomaly.

Guerrero said, however, that they have not yet been called on the matter.

In the meantime, Guerrero would be going on a short leave of absence, which has been approved by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

He said Pangilinan should apologize for his accusations.

He said the NFA endorsed the services of Avega after it was found that Vinafood’s first chosen cargo handler, DYS Seair Worldwide, Inc., was incompetent to handle the shipment.

“We did not force Vinafood II to accept Avega Bros. to undertake cargo handling services. We were constrained, however, to intercede following a difficulty in transacting with DYS,” said Guerrero.