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Tag: Bolante

Rotarian tell Bolante: tell the truth

In many of the exhortations to former Agriculture Secretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante to tell the truth about the P728 million fertilizer scam, he is always reminded of the Rotary’s four way test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Many Rotarians are dismayed that the name of the prestigious organization has been dragged into this Bolante mess. As director of Rotary International, Bolante had used his official Rotary duties in evading Senate arrest.

Ombudsman junks Esperat case versus Bolante

Related article in Verafiles : Coverup, whitewash seen in Bolante case

by Johanna Camille Sisante
GMANews.TV

The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday junked the 2004 case filed by slain journalist Marlene Esperat against Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap, former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, and other officials over the illegal use of public funds.

In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV, Anna Sanchez – media officer of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez – confirmed the ruling on Esperat’s complaint but did not disclose any further details, saying a press conference will be held Monday regarding the resolution.

Lawyer Harry Roque, who has made it a personal crusade to find truth and justice in the fertilizer scam, said: “I hope that Merceditas Gutierrez can explain that to the children of Marlene Esperat who all witnessed her gruesome murder.

Magmatyag, magbantay

Napuyat ako sa kakahintay kay Joc-Joc Bolante, ang matalik na kaibigan ni Mike Arroyo na dumating noong Martes ng gabi mula sa dalawang taong pagkakulong sa Estado Unidos.

Hindi na ako nakipagsiksikan sa loob ng NAIA dahil bawat media entity, isang reporter lang ang kailangan. May reporter naman kami doon sa loob, kaya doon ako sa mga concerned citizens na gustong hikayatin si Bolante na magsabi ng totoo.

Hindi namin nasilayan si Bolante dahil alam naman natin lahat na pagkatapos ma-turn over siya ng Bureau of Immigration at National Bureau of Invesitgation kay Senate Deputy Sergeant-at-arms Jaime Dimacale, isinakay siya sa naghihintay na ambulansya papuntang St. Luke’s Hospital.

Villar orders arrest of Bolante

Breaking news:

Senate President Manuel Villar has ordered the arrest of former Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He is expected to arrive tomorrow late evening, Northwest Airlines flight 71.

Villar’s statement:

I issued an instruction to Gen. Jose Balajadia Jr., the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, to implement the arrest warrant issued by the Senate in December 2005 against former Agriculture Usec. Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante for the failure to attend the public hearings of the Committees on Agriculture and Food and Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) on the P728 million Fertlizer Fund Scam.

The arrest order, which I signed as vice chairman of the Agriculture Committee, is still valid. To argue that the citation for contempt or arrest order approved by the Senate had lapsed automatically with the adjournment sine die of the 13th Congress would result in an absurd situation where a person held in contempt would just ignore and evade the Senate order until the adjournment of the session.

Personnel from the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms will be dispatched at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I. They have a specific instruction to arrest Bolante on sight and bring him to the Senate.

Rotarian to Rotarian

Please find in comments the statement of Prof. Harry Roque on Bolante’s return. .

When former Agriculture Secretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” comes back this week, he will have the rare opportunity to help in the cause of truth, justice and democracy in the country.

He can take up the challenge and tell the truth how he executed the crime of stealing from the poor farmers at least P728 million alloted to buy fertilizer and using the money to underwrite the vote buying and cheating of Gloria Arroyo in the 2004 elections. By doing so, he will help in cleansing the system of corrupt elements. He would be doing the Filipino people great service.

Or he can continue hiding in the darkness of the crime. In so doing, he will always be living in fear because as long as he is there, he will always be a threat to the masterminds and their accomplices.

The return of Joc-joc

Last Friday. I got this text from a friend: “NAIA manager Al Cusi, Dureza and Atty. Tony Zulueta here now in Manila Pen bar brainstorming on how to shield Jocko when he arrives. Pabalik na Jocjoc. Overheard sila by a friend. Media should be alerted.”

Dureza, of course, refers to Press Secretary Jesus Dureza and Zulueta is the lawyer of former Agriculture Secretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante.

The next day, I got another text from the same friend: “From embassy source:Jocjoc next week to be escorted by US Marshall. Jocjoc wife already here. Maybe media should start making noise to pre-empt government attempt to silence him.”