Fertilizers scam streamers removed
ROXAS CITY – Streamers about the P728 million fertilizers scam have been observed to be removed while the streamers about the P683 million proposed loan remain intact and displayed in conspicuous places here and some towns in the province of Capiz.
The said streamers, which reportedly are illegally installed for not having permits from the authorities, are believed to have been installed by the supporters of both Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. and former Agriculture Usec. Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante.
Bolante’s supporters are believed to remove the streamers on the P728 million fertilizers scam but there was no admittance nor denial on their part.
Bolante who is running under the banner of Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC) is facing Tanco, Sr. of Liberal Party (LP) in May 10, 2010 gubernatorial race here.
The alleged P728 fertilizers scam is raised against Bolante who was accused of pocketing the money to fund the May 10, 2010 election, on the other hand, Tanco was also accused by Bolante’s camp of planning to use the proposed P683 million loan to fund the election through “kickback” out of the projects.
However, both camps strongly denied the issues. Bolante said that not even a single centavo went to his pocket of the alleged P728 fertilizer funds scam adding that he was cleared by the Commission on Audit (COA) saying that all fertilizers distributed to farmers were fully accounted for.
He also accused his opponents for being like a ‘broken record’ by recycling the issue against him especially when the election is fast approaching. He clarified that there is no case against him in court nor in the Ombudsman regarding the issue.
On the other hand, Tanco also denied he will use the proposed P683 million to fund the election as it is only the credit line of the province from Philippine Veterans Bank.
It was learned that the fate of the loan lies in the hand of the court since Board Member Gilbert Ardivilla filed temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the implementation of the loan.
So far, the initial move of the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Tanco was to implement the P200 million provincial road concreting. This P200 million is part of the P683 million proposed loan.
