Senate panel to hand over evidence to Ombudsman

The Senate blue ribbon committee today said it is readying the transmittal to the Ombudsman of documents that would become the basis for the filing of appropriate charges against key personalities implicated to the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon, committee chairman, said both documentary and testimonial evidence collated by the panel is sufficient to substantiate charges that would be filed against the perpetrators of the grand scheme to defraud the government.

"We have enough (evidence) to bring this (case) to the Ombudsman. There is tons of evidence, and we have heard testimony among witnesses that were presented by way of checks and reports. We warn the Ombudsman that there is enough evidence," he said.

"We at the Blue Ribbon Committee have gathered evidence to enable the Ombudsman to prosecute individuals involved in the fertilizer fund scam for money laundering and plunder, among others. In fact, we will serve hard evidence in a silver platter," he added

Gordon lamented the apparent dilly-dallying of the Ombudsman to take immediate and decisive actions on the findings and recommendations of the joint Arroyo and Magsaysay committee which has first investigated the alleged anomalous project.

"It has been 1,056 days since the Arroyo and Magsaysay committee submitted its report on its investigation into the fertilizer project but the Ombudsman has yet to file graft charges or take action against any individual in connection with the controversy," he said.

The Task Force Abono tasked by the Ombudsman to look into the fertilizer fund anomaly had submitted its report to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez as early as June 2006, recommending the filing of graft charges against former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, alleged architect of the fund scam, and other suspected erring officials.

Ombudsman investigators reportedly found that the purchased farm equipment were overpriced by as much as 200 to 300 percent, an absence of public bidding required by law, and the illegal use of public funds. But the Ombudsman did not take any action.

If the Ombudsman does not want the public to lump it together with the evasive, if not downright, lying witnesses, Gordon warned that the graft-busting body should take action and stop putting off the filing of appropriate charges against the personalities involved.

"Bilang senador, ako po ay nagsusumamo sa Ombudsman na kumilos na po kayo. Nakakahiya na ang inyong nakakabasag na katahimikan, mukha pong nagkukulang tayo sa ating tungkulin at galit na ang tao sapagkat hindi kayo kumikilos," he said.

"I advise the Ombudsman not to tarry any longer because this will just open more questions that demand answers, and above all, demand what we call justice. Indeed, the people's frustration is evident. People have become cynical and frustrated. People have now become angry," he added.