Gordon assured of Paule's attendance in next Senate hearing

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon was assured that Jaime Paule would attend the Senate blue ribbon panel's investigation into the P728-million fertilizer fund scam on Jan. 20 next year.

Gordon, committee chair, said that though Paule's counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, gave the assurance, he, nevertheless, warned them of the dire consequences should Paule go back on his word.

"I was assured by his lawyer that he will bring Paule here on Jan. 20. I have no reason to doubt that. And they promised to submit a formal statement before the hearing," he said.

"But just the same, I took the addresses of his children, as well as all of his addresses and telephone numbers so we will know where to find him should he not show up. If he will not show up then he will be in really big trouble," he added.

Paule was accompanied by his lawyer when he went to the Senate Tuesday to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the Senate committee.

Gordon warned Paule not to attempt to deny his connection with the other witnesses who are attesting to his participation in the alleged anomaly, as he will be faced off with them.

"He (Paule) is going to deny it. But his denial is not going to hold water because there are too many witnesses against him. He will be presented to the other witnesses who claimed that he was the one who put together this operation. And they can identify him," he said.

The Senate investigations have so far established that Paule was the link that held together the other witnesses, starting with his meeting with former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, the alleged architect of the anomaly.

It was established that Paule named the foundation, which served as proponent for the Department of Agriculture project and hired Marites Aytona as consultant for the foundation. He was also tagged as the one who talked Leonicia Llarena into providing the checks that were used as flash money for the project.