Palace welcomes Ombudsman's plunder case vs Lorenzo, Bolante

Malacañang on Friday welcomed the Ombudsman’s order for the filing of plunder charges against former Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo and former Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc" Bolante for their alleged involvement in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. “2004 pa po yata nangyari. It’s about time that something was done about this" deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing. She said she will allow acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro to explain why former President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo was not included in the charges. “The acting Ombudsman will be in a better position to explain why they filed cases against certain persons and not against some. Sila yung may hawak ng ebidensya, sila yung nag-assess," Valte said. “Siguro hindi lang tayo pero andami na pong naghihintay niyan. Matagal na pong puna. Kung maaalala niyo po, nung nandyan pa po si former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, isa na po ‘yan sa mga naging puna sa kanya at sa kanyang opisina," she added. Valte recalled that one of the criticisms against Gutierrez was the former Ombudsman’s supposed inaction on the fertilizer fund scam. The scam involved the alleged diversion of P728 million that was supposedly allocated for farmers’ fertilizer support to the 2004 campaign kitty of Arroyo, who was then running for president, and candidates under her ticket. The Office of the Ombudsman likewise junked motions for reconsideration filed by ex-Agriculture Assistant Secretary Ibarra Poliquit, former Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza, former Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes and former Catanduanes Rep. Leandro Verceles Jr. Plunder charges were also recommended against Poliquit, while cases were ordered filed against the three other officials for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act). — MRT/VS, GMA News