Jocjoc's supporters want him to run in 1st district
ROXAS CITY – Controversial former Department of Agriculture (DA) undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante is reportedly being pushed by his supporters to run for congressman of the first district of Capiz in the 2010 election.
Bolante was here on Friday at Villa Patria where he met friends and supporters for lunch.
Bolante, who is a native of Dao in the second district of Capiz, is being groomed to run for congressman of the 2nd district, however, since his wife is a native of Maayon and he has property in President Roxas that belongs to the 1st district, his allies push him to run in the 1st district.
Sources say Bolante frequently visits his hometown in Dao and also visits several towns in the 1st district to consult several political leaders for his intention to run in public office.
Bolante, however, has yet to confirm his plan for next year's election.
Bolante was the Agriculture Undersecretary when the fertilizer fund scam erupted. He is accused of diverting at least 728 million pesos in fertilizer funds to President Arroyo's 2004 election campaign.
When the controversy broke out in 2006, Bolante fled to the US and sought asylum, but his petition was denied by the US courts and he was eventually deported. Bolante arrived in the Philippines on October 28, 2008. Upon his arrival, the Senate effected the warrant on Bolante, initially holding him under hospital arrest. After a month, Bolante appeared on the Senate for the first time.
He denies that the money was misused stating that there was no fertilizer scam despite the findings of the Commission on Audit that there was 'excessive overpricing' of the liquid fertilizer purchased by Bolante's proponents. He cleared President Arroyo from any direct involvement. He also cleared the congressmen and other local officials implicated in the fertilizer fund scam.