The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 73 in Negros Occidental has issued a writ of preliminary injunction for the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to cease and desist from implementing Sugar Order No. 3 (SO3) which covers the importation of 200,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar intended for industrial users.
In a decision dated February 24, executive judge Reginald Fuentebella of the RTC in Sagay City, said “status quo” must be maintained until the case is terminated, unless earlier lifted or upon orders of the court.
Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), welcomed the issuance, citing it as a “victory” on their part since the RTC saw their side of the argument.
“This decision just affirms that the industry was right and SRA was wrong,” said Lamata, in a statement.
“We are not against importation per se but we have been pushing for proper consultation and a calibrated importation program which is beneficial to all and not just for a particular sector,” said Joseph Edgar Sarrosa, UNIFED director.
