Pia: Move to pin down Bolante meant to protect bigger personalities behind fertilizer scam?

Senate opposition member Pia S. Cayetano today welcomed the damning testimonies of the three regional directors of the Department of Agriculture (DA) at the Senate yesterday that finally confirmed the direct involvement of former DA undersecretary Jocelyn 'Joc Joc' Bolante in the release and identification of beneficiaries of fertilizer funds in 2004.

At the same time, Cayetano urged more DA personnel to come forward and reveal to senators everything they know about the controversial funds and Bolante's "hands on" role in coordinating its release to local officials and non-government organizations.

But the lady senator is skeptical about the real intention why the agriculture department is pinning down Bolante only now.

"We do welcome these revelations which finally burst Bolante's big bubble of lies. Other officials should also come forward to disown Bolante who has brought much dishonor to the agriculture department, particularly to the great majority of its personnel who I believe are upright and hardworking public servants."

"I can't help but ask, however, why vital information such as this is being presented to the public only now?" she asked. "Are they finally pinning down Bolante to protect bigger personalities behind the fertilizer fund scam?"

"Why were these withheld from the joint committees of the 13th Congress which earlier investigated the issue? Why weren't these volunteered to the Office of the Ombudsman, which is now taking a century to establish basic facts of a scam that had already been thoroughly documented by the Senate and the Commission on Audit?"

She concluded by saying that Bolante's redemption may yet come should he choose to ditch his selective amnesia in favor of telling the whole truth, even if it meant incriminating himself and dragging down his principals with him.