Malacañang on Friday confirmed the resignation of Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief David Thaddeus Alba.
Meanwhile, SRA board member Paolo Luis Azcona said the board passed a resolution allowing the three deputy administrators to assume the duties and functions left by Alba.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Alba informed Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin about his resignation last Wednesday.
“E.S. Lucas Bersamin tried to persuade Alba not to resign, but he (Alba) reasoned out his worsening health condition,” the PCO said in a statement.
“Upon the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Alba’s resignation will take effect on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement,” the statement read.
In an interview with GMA network, SRA director Pablo Luis Azcona said Alba’s resignation was announced during their regular board meeting last Monday.
“We were informed last Monday during our regular board meeting that he submitted his resignation due to health reasons,” Azcona said.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Alba in August last year in line with the reorganization of SRA.
Alba was initially appointed as acting SRA chief on August 20, 2022 vice former administrator Hermenegildo Serafica who stepped down amid his involvement in the sugar importation mess.
Serafica was one of four signatories of Sugar Order No. 4 on the alleged unauthorized importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar.
Alba’s resignation came after a fresh controversy on the most recent importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar, which was supposedly allocated to three “handpicked” importers.
Asked if the resignation is connected to the controversial importation of 400,000 metric tons of sugar, Azcona, who represents planters on the board, evaded the question, insisting that Alba was having problems with his blood pressure.
“We haven’t talked personally but that (Alba’s resignation) is what I know,” he said.
Azcona said he does not know if Alba’s resignation has something to do with the importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar.
He said Alba’s name never surfaced as part in the importation mess.