Ombudsman joins calls for Bolante's return to RP

MANILA, Philippines - The Ombudsman on Friday denied that her office was "sitting" on the case involving former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante even as she joined the call for the fugitive to return to the country and clear his name in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. Bolante, who fled in the United States after the Senate wrapped up its probe of the controversy, is still under detention pending the resolution of his bid for political asylum. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez' statement came after Senator Manuel Roxas' called on the US through ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, to work for the deportation of Bolante so that he can face allegations of his alleged involvement in the fertilizer scam. Roxas, in a letter to Kenney, had cited a standing arrest order issued by the Senate against Bolante for his repeated non-appearance in its hearings on the issue. Bolante had supposedly masterminded the transfer of the fund to the campaign kitty of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the 2004 elections. On Friday, Gutierrez said Bolante should return to the country to clear his name and face the consequences of his actions. "Kung halimbawa na, may pag-aagam-agam ang mga tao dito tungkol sa kanya,I would rather, I would suggest na bumalik siya dito and face what the consequences are," Gutierrez said in an chance interview conducted in Malacañang. However, she said it is up to Bolante if he still wants seek reconsideration from a United States' court's decision rejecting his request for asylum. Gutierrez also denied that the Ombudsman is sleeping on fertilizer scam adding that it is still at the fact-finding and preliminary investigation level. "No, definitely no… Alam mo wala pa sa level ko. Nasa mga fact finding investigations and those who are conducting preliminary investigation. Makikita ko lang na may ebdiensiya pag nasa akin na for my signature," she said. She assured reporters that the Ombudsman would not hesitate to file charges against anyone as long as it is backed by evidence and the law. "The work of the Ombudsman is to administer justice. If there is no evidence then you don't file, you dismiss the case, but when there evidence, file it by all means," Gutierrez said.- GMANews.TV