Bolante clarifies Ombudsman case
ROXAS CITY – Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante has denied reports that his room cell at the New Bilibid Prison is now ready after former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo surfaced to supposedly tell what he knew about the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.
Bolante was accused of being involved in the fund scam wherein the money was allegedly diverted to finance former Presidential Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidential bid in the 2004 elections.
It was earlier reported that Lorenzo met with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in a private party which led to speculations that Lorenzo will “spill the beans” when he will finally be investigated.
In the wake of this development, Bolante sent a text message to this writer clarifying the issues involving him.
He said the Ombudsman has not yet filed a case with the Sandiganbayan regarding the P728-million fertilizer fund.
Bolante, however, said the Ombudsman’s Task Force Abono has filed its report and recommendation with the Ombudsman Preliminary Adjudication and Monitoring. Still, the OMB-PAM has yet to evaluate the said report for evidence on who should be charged, he said.
“But there is one thing clear in the OMB-PAM Report: There is no evidence of plunder,” Bolante’s text message read.
Bolante has called on former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and other critics to know better the elements of plunder as categorically enumerated by law.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Report and the Ombudsman investigation contained no identification of the elements of plunder in the case, he said.
“As a matter of fact, the Senate Report has not even presented any evidence against me. Not even on technical malversation or graft,” Bolante added.
