Duterte looking for new NFA head to replace Jason AquinoMANILA, Philippines — National Food Authority administrator Jason Aquino had requested to be relieved from his post amid the country’s rice woes, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday. Duterte made the announcement during the televised interview with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. Early in September, Duterte said he would not dismiss any official over the rice crisis in the country as he sees no “serious offense” committed amid the problems involving the country’s staple food. Aquino has been blamed by both allies of president and opposition lawmakers for the rising prices of the Filipino staple food. In the same interview, Duterte said that the rice crisis in the country is “artificial” and caused by “man-made manipulation.”He added that the way to address the surge in rice prices is to import more rice.

Source: Philippine Star September 11, 2018 09:11 UTC