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Arrest of 4 people linked to fertilizer scam ordered


MANILA, Philippines - The Senate ordered Wednesday the arrest of four people linked to the fertilizer fund scandal who evaded past summonses. Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the committee on accountability of public officers and investigations (Blue Ribbon) which handles the inquiry, said Wednesday that those ordered arrested were Marites A. Aytona, Jimmy Paule, Julie M. Gregorio and Reden H. Antolin. It was the fourth time that Ms. Aytona failed to appear in the Senate despite her assurances of willing to shed light on the issue. Ms. Aytona has been tagged by witness Jose B. Barredo, Jr. as the alleged negotiator of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc Joc" I. Bolante for local government units in Regions 3 and 6. Ms. Aytona has been tagged as the alleged "Palace link" into the mess, said Mr. Barredo. Ms. Gregorio was identified as the president of Feshan Philippines, Inc., which distributed the purported diluted and overpriced liquid fertilizers. Mr. Antolin, vice-president of Feshan, meanwhile, was also ordered arrested for "lying," said Mr. Gordon. Meanwhile, the committee is drafting a "partial report" to recommend graft and corruption charges against Mr. Bolante and other officials involved in the controversy. — BusinessWorld
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