Ombudsman dared to file plunder raps vs Bolante

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Pangilinan on Thursday dared the Ombudsman to slap former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, currently detained at the Senate, with plunder charges. In a statement, Pangilinan said investigations in both Houses have yielded sufficient evidence that would indict Bolante of committing technical malversation. The Ombudsman has yet to release a decision on its preliminary investigation on the accusations that Bolante diverted some P728 milion worth of fertilizer fund President Arroyo’s campaign kitty in the 2004 elections. “We have very good reason to believe that Bolante did not dispose of the P728M in one fell swoop. The Office of the Ombudsman should disclose to the public the result of its investigation and report to the public its plan about the fertilizer fund scam," Pangilinan said. During the separate investigations of both Houses, Bolante has admitted that he has redirected some P100 million to other entities after 23 of the 181 beneficiaries decided to give up their allocation. Bolante admitted before the House committee on agriculture last Tuesday that he distributed the funds even without the permission of the then Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin. Pangilinan said the crime of plunder qualified a public officer “who has amassed, accumulated or acquired ill-gotten wealth through a combination or a series of misappropriation, conversion misuse or malversation of public funds or raids on the public treasury.” He also reminded the Ombudsman that how she would handle the case is crucial as public eyes are watching. "It needs to prove its independence, it needs to prove its resolve to stop corruption in the country, and it needs to prove it will waste no time to prosecute the guilty. The longer the Fertilizer Scam sits on the Ombudsman's desk, the heavier the burden for the agency," Pangilinan said. - GMANews.TV