Arrest order vs Aytona still in effect  -- Gordon

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today said that the arrest order against Marites A. Aytona remains in effect despite figuring out in an incident while on route to the Senate reportedly to attend the Senate hearing on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said that while the Senate has an option to provide protection for Ms. Aytona if indeed her life is in danger, it does not abate the panel's arrest order against her.

"Ms. Aytona is still under arrest. But we will protect her, because obviously she will be under the Senate's custody," he said late night. Aytona was implicated as former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante's runner.

Late night, Marites' brother, Ramon, went to the Senate to meet with Gordon and reported to him that while on their way to attend the panel's hearing on Wednesday before noon, a motorcycle- riding man blocked their way and pointed a gun on Marites.

Ramon explained that they immediately reported the incident to police authorities, while Marites was brought to the hospital because high blood pressure. As a result of the incident, they were not able to attend the hearing.

"Ang matindi pong pagtatangkang ito sa aking buhay ang naging dahilan upang hindi po ako makadalo sa nasabing pagdinig. Ang aking kaalaman na may mga tao na napatay na dahil sa kasong ito ang siya pong lalong nagpadagdag sa aking takot," Aytona said in her signed letter she sent to Gordon through her brother.

Gordon said although the Aytonas have presented him with a police report about the incident, he is not taking the story hook, line and sinker.

He said the panel cannot abate the arrest order signed by 13 senators, but they could give consideration to detain her in another place and not at the Pasay City Jail.

"After failing to appear in our hearings despite her promise to do so, she has stained her credibility, which is why I am not taking her every word they are saying. On where we will detain her would depend on whether she is willing to cooperate in the Senate's investigation," Gordon said.

"If she can prove that her story is true, then I will know where to put her," he added.

Gordon also reiterated his call to Jaime "Jimmy" Paule, one of the runners in the fertilizer fund scam, to come out and testify before the panel since that would be better for his safety.

"I advise Mr. Paule to come out now because we do not know what kind of danger he could face if he continues to hide. I urge him to come out now before time runs out for him," he said.