Food advocates to Aquino: Put behind bar those involved in rice scams 01/16/2011

Food advocates to Aquino: Put behind bar those involved in rice scams

01/16/2011
As reported about the overpriced rice imported by the previous administration came out again in the news, a network of food security advocates yesterday reminded President Aquino to make true his anti-corruption campaign promise and use this issue as another case against the Arroyo administration.

The Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS) reiterated over the weekend its call for an immediate investigation and prosecution of all past and present government officials and personnel as well as private entities who were involved in this criminal act.

According to news reports, the National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Lito Banayo disclosed that the rice agency imported rice during the last three years of the Arroyo administration was overpriced by $125 per metric ton, and in the last 10 years, these imports were overpriced by an average of $60 per metric ton. He revealed that fictitious cooperatives and companies took part in the unlawful activity.

Alice Raymundo, TFFS coordinator, said that they were no longer surprised with the news as this already came out in July 2009..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110116nat3.html