Philippines: Joc-joc testimony on the fertilizer scam.

This is from Daily Tribune. At least Joc Joc finally testified before the Senate but it seems that he resolutely defends Arroyo even though his testimony seems to be full of holes and probably lies as well. This is just part of the article.


Joc-joc’s ‘lies’ slammed; scam leads to Palace
By Angie M. Rosales
11/14/2008
Controversial former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante yesterday cleared President Arroyo of any involvement in the alleged mismanagement of P728-million fertilizer fund some four years ago, saying the President “was not involved in this particular project of the Department of Agriculture. The implementation of the P728-million farm input, farm implement program was approved by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) without the approval of President Arroyo,” he told Senate probers.
But senators, including Palace allies, found Bolante’s claim incredulous, noting the various irregularities in the transaction and primary role of Bolante in making the funds available to the
beneficiaries, as himself described before them.
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that culpability in the fund misuse “certainly leads up to Malacañang. Even if the former secretary of Agriculture (Luisito Lorenzo) returns to the Philippines claiming he didn’t receive his own kickback, then who issued the order? Someone had to issue the order. It’s not automatic that a mere undersecretary can avail of the P728 million. There is no such undersecretary with such powers. The order (from the higher ups) was there,” she said in an interview with reporters after interrogating Bolante.
Bolante could easily be charged, based on the information senators gathered so far, for violation of the anti-graft law, malversation of public funds, plunder and violation of the procurement law, to say the least, Santiago added.