Witnesses to bare Bolante’s participation in fund mess

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate resumes Monday its probe into the fertilizer fund, with more resource persons expected to disclose the extent of a former Agriculture official’s participation in the multimillion-peso scandal. Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the committee on accountability of public officers and investigations (Blue Ribbon), said they have issued subpoenas to Julie Gregorio and Reden Antolin, president and vice-president of Feshan Philippines, Inc., respectively. Feshan supplied the alleged diluted and overpriced liquid fertilizers to local government units in 2004, an election year. The fertilizer fund was allegedly diverted to prop up President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s chances in the elections. Mr. Gordon said set to appear is a certain Leonicia Marco-Llarena, whom witness Jose B. Barredo, Jr. implicated as the financier of Maritess Aytona, owner of Feshan. A certain Jimmy Paule was also subpoenaed, whom Mr. Barredo, who negotiated with project proponents in Regions 3 and 6, tagged as Ms. Aytona’s alleged link to Malacañang. Mr. Gordon said in a radio interview at the weekend that the invited persons will be arrested by the Senate sergeant-at-arms if they fail to attend the hearing. "If all the key witnesses would show up, we will be able to establish the complete truth. There might be arguments and contradictory statements, but we’ll see who’s telling the truth and who’s just spinning tales," Mr. Gordon said in a statement. Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc Joc" I. Bolante has been tagged as the "brains" and "chief implementor" of the alleged illegal diversion of P728 million in fertilizer funds. He is now under Senate custody and senators insist he may have to spend Christmas in the chamber’s premises unless he tells the truth. Mr. Bolante was arrested on Dec. 3 by the Senate’s security officials at 120 Vernida 1 Condominium along Amorsolo St. in Makati City after lawmakers declared the former official was lying. — BUA, , BusinessWorld