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Noynoy asks Ombudsman to explain 2-year delay of Bolante probe


MANILA, Philippines - Deliberations for its budget for 2009 led to a grilling of sorts for the Office of the Ombudsman on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam involving former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn " Joc-Joc" Bolante. Sen. Benigno Simeon Aquino III said that while the Senate gave its recommendations to the Ombudsman as early as March 1, 2006, there has been no response from the Ombudsman on the case. "In 2008 Mr. Bolante comes back ... and people supposed to be representing the Ombudsman (are) stating they are just beginning the investigation," Aquino said. He also said that while the Senate managed to establish many things from Bolante's appearances at the Senate, the Ombudsman has yet to come up with its findings after two years. "In 2006, the recommendation (of the Senate) was for them to investigate, what have they done?" he asked. But Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who was defending the Ombudsman's budget, said the Ombudsman needed the time to make verifications and inspections regarding the case. He added findings in the Senate "sometimes do not really establish a very hard and clear prima facie case." "They have to gather evidence to establish the standard needed for them to file a (case) ... We have gathered enough facts to draw a conclusion this person might have committed a felony. (But the) requirement of the law is that the guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt," Enrile said. - GMANews.TV
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