Senate panel to start fertilizer fund scam probe next week

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate blue ribbon committee will start its investigation into the P728-million fertilizer fund scam next week, committee chair Alan Peter Cayetano said Monday. A report by Nimfa Ravelo over radio dzBB said the committee will start its public hearings on the case Thursday or Friday next week. The report quoted Cayetano as saying that he is confident there are no legal impediments to conducting the probe as the Senate Rules was published in newspapers October 31. Seven days must pass from the date of publication before the committee can send out notices for the public hearing. Cayetano said they are planning to give out notices next Monday. The opposition senator said the blue ribbon committee is taking up the probe after agriculture committee chair Edgardo Angara repeatedly said that he will not re-open the investigation. Cayetano maintained the validity of the arrest order against Bolante, saying it was clear in the committee report submitted by then Agriculture committee chair Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr that the fertilizer fund scam will not be resolved until the Senate has heard Bolante's testimony. The senator added that it was clear from the plenary discussions in the 13th Congress that senators resolved to still get the former Agriculture official's testimony regarding the controversy. Bolante, the alleged architect of the fertilizer fund scam, allegedly diverted the funds to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's campaign kitty in 2004. Bolante has been staying at the St Luke's Medical Hospital in Quezon City where he is undergoing medical examinations since his return to the country last Tuesday. - GMANews.TV