CHIZ SAYS BOLANTE AFFLICTED WITH SERIOUS BOUTS OF DRAMATITIS

Alleged fertilizer scam architect Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante is suffering from a serious bout of "dramatitis," according to Sen. Chiz Escudero, the latest senator to doubt the former agriculture official's reported illness, which has been used to prevent his possible appearance before a new Senate investigation.

"I have reasons to believe that this guy is feigning his illness. He could be trying to emote his way out of a Senate appearance," Escudero said.

He said Bolante's illnesses are of the "garden-variety types, the kind even younger people have."

"Many people have ulcers and high blood pressure, but managed well. These are not debilitating diseases that would prevent one from going about his normal routine," Escudero said.

"In fact, although they won't admit it, many senators are taking medication for ulcers and hypertension and have yet to miss a roll call," he said.

According to Escudero, Bolante treats his hospital like a spa, where he can have his prolonged convalescence while he awaits for a court order that would fend off the Senate summons.

Escudero said he knows of only two persons today whose health is subject to a lot of speculation: Bolante and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, who was reported to have suffered a stroke months ago.

"The big difference is that while Kim wants his people to believe that he is healthy, Bolante is going to great lengths to convince us that he is sick," Escudero said.

Bolante remains confined at the hospital, where First Gentleman Mike Arroyo has been seen reportedly for medical treatment.

Some senators, including Escudero, have sought the reopening of the Senate inquiry into the fertilizer fund scandal as against the contention of Senator Edgardo Angara, current chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Angara has refused calls for a fresh investigation and has stood by his argument that the Office of the Ombudsman should now handle the probe into Bolante's case.

Escudero has criticized the apparent "double standard" by which some senators have treated Bolante. He said the Senate foreign relations committee, headed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, has aggressively probed the so-called "euro generals" of the Philippine National Police over the mysterious P6.9-million fund questioned by Russian authorities despite procedural lapses in the investigation, but certain senators have been dragging their feet on the Bolante case.

"In Joc-joc's case, it's 700 times more than that amount," Escudero said. "I hope they are showing anger 100 times over."