Joc-Joc Bolante files COC for governor in Capiz

Controversial former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante has formalized his candidacy for governor of Capiz province, a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" said Monday. The report said Bolante filed his certificate of candidacy (COC)over the weekend. The Senate blue ribbon committee has recommended plunder charges against Bolante for allegedly masterminding the diversion of some P728 million fertilizer funds for poor farmers to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's campaign kitty in the 2004 elections. The committee, however, cleared President Arroyo. Bolante has denied the allegations, saying he was a victim of grandstanding politicians. The former government official was deported to Manila in October last year after his failed attempt to seek asylum in the US, where he fled in 2006 to evade the Senate hearings. Bolante, who will run under Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC or United Capiz), will go against incumbent Capiz Governor Victor Tanco Sr. - KBK, GMANews.TV