MANILA, March 20 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday the majority of the warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA) are still operating despite an ongoing investigation into the alleged improper sale of rice buffer stock.

In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Manila Bay briefing, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reiterated the Office of the Ombudsman's preventive suspension order against 141 NFA officials and employees entails temporary closure of select warehouses.

The first batch of suspension included 99 warehouse supervisors nationwide.

"There are 288 warehouses sa buong Pilipinas, at 169 iyong regular na nag-o-open tapos madagdagan pa ng 20 (in the entire Philippines, and 169 ...