Ombudsman faulted for inaction in Bolante case

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Blue Ribbon chair Richard Gordon on Thursday accused the Ombudsman of "dereliction of duty" in dealing with former government officials implicated in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. Gordon's accusation came after former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante on Tuesday disclosed before the Senate that he was able to withdraw money from his bank accounts following the expiration of the freeze order imposed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC). In a press statement, Gordon said that had the Ombudsman filed charges against Bolante, the alleged architect of the fertilizer fund scam could not have withdrawn money from the accounts sanctioned by the AMLC. Gordon also said the government would then be able to look into Bolante's alleged 32 bank accounts, if the Ombudsman had filed a case against Bolante. "Unfortunately, there seems to be dereliction of duty on the part of the Ombudsman," Gordon said. "The Senate has been investigating this for more than 1,019 days in two Congresses, pero wala pang pina-file sapagkat kung merong kaso, hindi makukuha ang perang yan [but no case had been filed because if there was Bolante would not be able to withdraw money]." During the hearing on the fertilizer fund scam last Tuesday, Bolante admitted withdrawing money from the accounts after the AMLC freeze order expired on Dec. 20, 2008. Invoking his right under the Bank Secrecy Law, Bolante also declined to disclose how much and from which accounts he withdrew the money. Bolante also refused to issue a waiver that would allow authorities to investigate his questioned accounts “for the sake of transparency." - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV