MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is already conducting its investigation on the alleged improper sale of rice by the National Food Authority (NFA) to selected traders.

In a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, DA spokesman Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa assured the results of the investigation will come out soon, adding that Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has already called on the two NFA officials tagged in the controversy to voluntarily take their leave of absence.

On Friday, Secretary Tiu instructed NFA Administrator Roderico Bioco and Assistant Administrator for Operations Lemuel Pagayunan to take a leave of absence to ensure a fair conduct of the investigation.

“Fair kasi si Secretary. Gusto niya iyong dalawa si Administrator Bioco at saka si Assistant Administrator for Operations Lemuel Pagayunan, mag-leave of absence muna para mas maging fair iyong investigation,” he said.

“Ongoing na iyong investigation nagre-review na ng mga documents iyong panel of investigator at marami na rin na-conduct na interview and we’re expecting very soon ay mayroon ng updates dito sa nangyayaring investigation,” he pointed out.

De Mesa clarified that Secretary Laurel has not given a deadline for the probe. “Walang binigay na specific deadline si Secretary, pero doon sa phase na kino-conduct iyong review, we can expect very soon mayroon ng lalabas na resulta iyong mga panel of investigator,” he said. PND