Friday, November 07, 2008 Editorials: The Joc-joc furor
WHAT happened to the P728 million spent for the purchase of farm inputs for the farmers in 2004 has remained a mystery to this day.
The amount was supposedly intended for the purchase of fertilizers but was allegedly diverted to the campaign in the presidential elections of that year.
The return from the United States of the point man in the case, the then Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante did not clear things.
To recall, Joc-joc went to the United States when the case of the missing fertilizer fund was exposed to public knowledge after the elections.
He eventually tried to seek “political asylum” there, but this was denied, resulting in his deportation and recent return.
Arrest
Since there was a warrant for Bolante’s arrest issued due to his non-appearance in hearings about the case, the Senate placed him under its custody upon his return.
The Senate’s claim was questioned, however, since the warrant was issued during the 13th Congress, and hence, “its force and effect” has lapsed.
The matter, though, is hanging, as Joc-joc had himself admitted to a hospital.
The impasse may be resolved when the 14th Congress resumes session next week and a new subpoena or warrant is issued.
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the fertilizer fund of 2004 remains a mystery that only Joc-joc can answer.
Religious and civil society groups are reportedly contemplating on praying and fasting for three days, hoping that Joc-joc would relent, and tell.
Not a joke
That the money was divided among pro-administration candidates in 2004 is a fact known to members of Congress.
It is said that 104 congressmen were in the list of beneficiaries that includes former House speaker Jose de Venecia and current Speaker Prospero Nograles.
There were also 49 governors and 25 town mayors who allegedly received between P3 and P8 million from funds that Bolante administered.
Under this circumstance, the furor over Joc-joc’s possible administrative intransigence has become a matter of grave national concern, involving as it does, not just the President and the executive branch of the government, but also members of the House, leaving the Judiciary as the only government branch “without sin.”
We hope Joc-joc has not made one enormous joke on this republic.
