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Bolante’s resistance in attending the House Probe

Nov 11, 2008 | Mich109

MANILA, Philippines – Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, former Agriculture undersecretary, stated will not attend the House probe in accordance to the P728-million fertilizer scam for he is still under the Senate’s custody.

Bolante sent a letter to the Agriculture committee chair Representative Abraham Kahlil Mitra that he is not in the position to present himself to the House to be investigated and thus asks help to be cleared form the Senate.

Bolante also stated in his letter his request to the said committee to help him be secured with the a clearance from the Senate and that he is also asking for the question’s copy that will be asked to him on the probe so that he has the idea to what scopes the investigation will cover.

Mitra answered to Bolante’s call but said that he (Bolante) should be the on to work on his clearance. Mitra added that there is no need to seek permission to the Senate to let Bolante attend House hearings.

Mitra also said that he could be sent an arrest warrant if he fails to show up when a hearing is conducted. He even added that the committee is not sending him the copy of questions that he is asking for.

Also, Mitra stated that the Senate and the house are co-equal and he thinks that there is also no need to ask for the Senate’s permission because the arrest warrant that they have sent for Bolante is still questioned by Bolante’s team.

However, Representative Mitra said that he has sent the Senate Sergeant-at-arms a carbon copy of the invitation to Bolante in a House probe.

Prospero Nograles, House Speaker, stated for his part that both the Senate and the House of Reps should respect each other’s cause in the said issue.

Joc-joc Bolante is currently staying at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. He is the alleged leader and architect of the fertilizer fund scam. He is scheduled to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday which will again open the probe of the Senate regarding the said scam.

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