AFTER more than two weeks of confinement, former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, the alleged architect of the P728 million fertilizer fund scam, was finally cleared by his doctor for discharge from the St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City.

Bolante's physician, Romeo Saavedra, said he has already informed the Senate, which has a standing warrant of arrest against the former agriculture official, about the clearance.

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"Now that we are finished with the tests, we can discharge him anytime. We have informed Dr. Mariano Blancia, the Senate medical unit head, about an hour before this medical bulletin," Saavedra said, adding that Bolante can be discharged "anytime."

On the other hand, Saavedra said Bolante may have to return to the hospital for follow-up tests.

"As part of his medical condition, it is just a medical advisory for him to come back for his follow-up examinations," he said.

The doctor said Bolante was relieved to know that he had no life-threatening condition and that he would be discharged from the hospital.

Earlier, Bolante said he is ready to answer all questions regarding the fertilizer scam where the funds were allegedly diverted into the campaign kitty of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 elections. The President then won - amid allegation of election cheating - against the opposition standard bearer, Fernando Poe Jr.

But he said he would have to seek medical treatment first for "physical and emotional stress" he suffered during his two years in detention in the US while he fought off efforts to bring him back to the country.

He was deported last October 28 after a US court denied his petition for political asylum for lack of merit.

Last week, Saavedra said the series of medical tests and treatments to be performed on Bolante may be the last if no further significant findings on the former official's health are found.

The tests and treatments, he said, were for sleep apnea, fluctuating blood pressure, mild obstruction or narrowing of the calcified segment of his coronary arteries, and stomach ulcers.

Bolante's previous medical bulletins showed he was suffering from hardening of blood vessels and the heart.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said while Malacañang welcomes news that Bolante is already well and fit for discharge from the hospital, it is still up to him if he would testify on the scam.

Dureza said it is also the call of the Senate if they would accept Bolante's terms that he would only appear in the Senate if he is a free man and not under the Senate's arrest.

"That's good news. That means he's (Bolante) in the pink of health," he said.

He stressed that Malacañang would not intervene or interfere in the investigations whether in the Senate or the Office of the Ombudsman.

"The Palace has always made it very clear we want the truth to come out (but) we will not intervene at all. Let's look for the real story about that particular issue because the Palace is not involved in any of these irregularities," added the press secretary.

In a media interview, Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. said a detention facility in the Senate will be Bolante's next stop after his discharge from the hospital.

Balajadia said that Bolante has been considered under arrest since his arrival in the country last October 28.

He said Bolante will remain at the Senate detention facility "until such time he has to face the senators."

The Senate security chief said he has instructed his men to take custody of Bolante the moment St. Luke's issues his discharge papers from the hospital.

According to Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on rules, the arrest order issued during the 13th Congress against Bolante is still valid and that he will remain under the Senate custody.

"The contempt order and the order of arrest against Bolante were made and issued by the Senate, itself being a continuing body, by a majority of 21 members. Co-extensive with the legislative branch's power to investigate is the power to compel the attendance of witnesses in investigations and to commit for contempt for their refusal to testify. The warrant of arrest against him, therefore, remains enforced as he continues to defy facing the Senate investigation. Bolante will remain under the Senate custody until he reveals to the public the truth behind the fertilizer scam," Pangilinan said.

Members of the rules committee agreed to refer to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee the proposal to reinvestigate the fertilizer scam, in order to include the would-be testimony of Bolante. The Blue Ribbon panel, in turn, scheduled a hearing on the issue later this week. (AH/JMR/Sunnex)

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu.

(November 11, 2008 issue)
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