Ex-DA chief willing to testify in P728-M fertilizer scam

Former Agriculture chief Luis “Cito" Lorenzo Jr. said on Wednesday that he is willing to serve as state witness to shed light on the alleged P728-million fertilizer fund scam involving the Arroyo administration, now that he is back in the country. Lorenzo said in an interview with GMA News’ Joseph Morong that he is willing to testify on the alleged scam that took place during his term as Agriculture secretary in 2004, “should the need arise." “At the appropriate time, I will do my duty," he said in the interview in Makati City. Lorenzo was the superior of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc" Bolante, who allegedly diverted P728 million pesos from the fertilizer fund, which was supposed to support farmers' fertilizer needs, to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s campaign kitty for the 2004 presidential elections. The former agriculture chief however maintained that he has nothing to do with the alleged scam, saying he left the country in 2005 not to avoid the Senate inquiry but to spend time with his family. “Money never passed through me, and I was never involved… I really wanted to serve. Unfortunately, the dynamics just did not agree with my interest to serve in a very sincere and genuine way," he said. He added that the 14th Congress did not even include him in the list of people who should be charged with plunder due to the alleged multimillion-peso scam. Lorenzo likewise said that he wants President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III “to succeed," explaining why he is willing to come forward “if possible and should the need arise." Aquino said Lorenzo will not receive any special favors from the government, even though the former agriculture chief’s brother contributed P20 million to the President’s campaign funds. Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that it is up to the soon-to-be-formed Truth Commission headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide to decide whether or not it will tap Lorenzo as a witness to the alleged fertilizer fund scam. - Andreo C. Calonzo/ RJAB Jr./JV, GMANews.TV