NFA to file P53-M plunder raps against employee

The National Food Authority (NFA) is preparing to file a plunder case against a middle-level employee accused of misappropriating around ₱53 million worth of rice and palay stocks, as the agency intensifies its crackdown on corruption.

In a press briefing Friday in Quezon City, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the move follows stricter internal audits ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to clean up the agency.

Lacson reported that since last year, the NFA has filed 35 administrative cases, issued 28 preventive suspensions, and served 99 show-cause orders as part of its internal reforms.

“Hindi tayo tumitigil sa pagsugpo sa corruption… ilan-ilan lamang ang mga naliligaw ng landas,” Lacson said. “But the most important thing here—we will file a plunder case very soon. The process of case build-up is almost over.”

He said the case involves multi-year discrepancies in stocks that accumulated between 2020 and 2021, uncovered through strengthened audits that began when he assumed office.

“This is a multi-year action… na nagresulta sa nabawasang stocks. Inintensify natin ang audit, nakuha na natin lahat ng documents, at i-fi-file na natin very soon,” he said.

The employee, whose identity Lacson withheld, was given the opportunity to explain the shortages but failed to provide a satisfactory justification. The accused remains employed but has been reassigned and no longer holds any position with access to NFA stocks.

Lacson emphasized that the NFA will not tolerate internal wrongdoing. “Hindi natin iko-condone ang mga pagkakamali o kalokohan. Hindi nila playground ang NFA, at tayo ay seryoso na ayusin— in support of the call of the President and Secretary Kiko for good governance,” he said.