The former Department of Agriculture secretary who fled the country four years ago may implicate former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the alleged misuse of multi-million fertilizer funds in 2004, a lawyer claimed on Thursday. In an interview on GMA's Unang Hirit, University of the Philippines College of Law professor Harry Roque Jr. said former Agriculture chief Luis "Cito" Lorenzo Jr. may have significant knowledge of how the P728-million fertilizer funds were allegedly diverted to Arroyo's campaign kitty in the 2004 polls. "Ang gaya ni Cito Lorenzo na naging kalihim at alter ego ng presidente ang puwedeng mag-diin kay Arroyo dito sa scam na ito. Kaya ako nagagalit ay loyal pa rin siya kay Arroyo at ngayon bumubulung-bulong kay Presidente [Benigno] Aquino [III]," Roque said. (The likes of Cito Lorenzo who have been a secretary and the President's alter ego can pin Arroyo to this scam. That is why I am mad because Lorenzo is still loyal to Arroyo, and now is sending feelers to President Aquino.] Lorenzo returned to the country recently, after having been in self-exile since 2005 when he escaped a Senate inquiry on the scam. He earlier said he is willing to spill the beans on the scandal, while Mr. Aquino said the government might consider him as a state witness. (See: No favors for ex-Agriculture chief from govt, Aquino says) On Wednesday night, Lorenzo told GMA News that he had nothing to do with the scandal. "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.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV But Roque on Thursday said Lorenzo was only "closing his eyes" when the alleged misuse of funds was being committed. Based on command responsibility, Roque added the former Agriculture chief must also be held liable.
'Tell the truth' Lorenzo was the superior of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, whom the Senate blue ribbon committee charged for plunder in connection with the scam. The case is pending before the Office of the Ombudsman. (See:
Senate seeks plunder charges vs Joc-Joc Bolante, 8 others) Bolante, known to be close to former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, allegedly used the P728-million fertilizer funds to bankroll the 2004 campaign of Mrs. Arroyo. He has since denied committing any anomaly and had cleared the former First Couple of any involvement in the scandal. On Thursday, Roque said that because Bolante had refused to divulge his knowledge of the scandal, maybe Lorenzo can spill the beans. "
Kung gusto mo linisin ang pangalan mo, ilantad mo ang katotohanan. Hindi puwedeng idaan sa political contribution (If you want to clear your name, you need to tell the truth. You can't just make a political contribution," Roque said, referring to the P20-million campaign contribution of Lorenzo's brother, Martin, to the Aquino presidential campaign this year. The lawyer also told Mr. Aquino that he should be impartial to Lorenzo, even if his brother was a campaign contributor. "
Nakatingin ang bayan kung ang P20 million
ay makakabili ng immunity,
o despite the P20 million,
totoo ang sinasabi na walang reconciliation without justice. (The public is watching whether P20 million can buy impunity, or despite the P20 million, he will fulfill his promise that there can be no reconciliation without justice)," Roque added. On Wednesday, Malacañang said their will be no favors for Lorenzo, despite his brother's contribution to the campaign kitty of Aquino.
— RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV 
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