Allies defend Bolante over Del Rosario's claim
ROXAS CITY – Allies here of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante defended the latter relative to the claim of Roxas City Congressman Antonio Del Rosario that he turned down the offer of P5 million pesos from the controversial P728 million fertilizer fund.
A text message from Bolante's supporter sent to this writer said that Del Rosario is not in the list of project beneficiaries of the P728 million Department of Agriculture (DA) Fund.
It said that the solon did not file nor did ever have any pending request for funding with DA thus it is unbelievable that he was approached by alleged salesman of fertilizers.
It also said that while Bolante does not regard Del Rosario enemy, the latter has never been his friend. Bolante never talked with Del Rosario.
"Assuming that Del Rosario is telling the truth, how come he did not immediately report it to clarify," the message said.
Del Rosario during the House of Representatives hearing on Tuesday said that he was offered funds in 2004 by former Usec. Bolante's "runners", a certain Marites Aytona and Jose Barredo.
He said he was offered P5 million but was told that only 40 percent of this was to be used to purchase foliar fertilizer.
Del Rosario said the runners offered him 30 percent of the P5 million, and that the remaining 30 percent would be Bolante's share.
In response, Bolante insisted that he does not know Barredo and maintained that he did not pocket commissions from the fertilizer funds.
Del Rosario said he turned down the offer for the foliar fertilizer because what farmers in his province needed was urea for rice.
Del Rosario asked Bolante as to who ordered foliar fertilizers saying that the said liquid fertilizers is not needed by the farmers.
"Capiz is a known grower of ornamental plants, as they badly need it," Bolante argued.
According to Bolante, it was impossible for Del Rosario, who was then mayor of Roxas City, to be offered as he never requested it.
Bolante said that he has nothing to do with whoever negotiated with Del Rosario.
In the hearing, Bolante denied there were anomalies in the P728 million fertilizer fund and likewise denied that he engineered the alleged diversion of the said fund to the 2004 campaign fund of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Bolante said that "not a single centavo was released to the congressmen, governors or mayors" and that the fund was fully accounted for.
Earlier, Del Rosario dragged former Governor Vicente Bermejo, now city mayor, of having received the ‘fertilizers kick back' however, Bermejo denied it saying that proper documents and lists of distribution had been made during his stint as governor.
Bolante said he is not aware about Del Rosario and Bermejo's rift however, he cleared Bermejo of the alleged fertilizer's scam.