Gordon calls on DA regional directors
for next Senate hearing on the "fertilizer scam"

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon has invited former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante and regional directors of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the next hearing of the Senate's investigation on the P728-million "fertilizer fund scam."

Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said the DA regional directors were summoned to explain their roles in the controversy after Bolante, said to be the architect of the fund scam, claimed that he "downloaded" the funds to them.

The hearing is set for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Committee invited regional directors Cipriano Santiago, RFU I; Gumersindo Lasam, RFU II; Redentor Gatus, RFU III; Abelardo Bragas, RFU IV-A; Antonio Gerundio, RFU IV-B; Jose Daya, RFU V; Larry Nacionales, RFU VI; Ricardo Oblene, RFU VII; and Leo Caneda, RFU VIII.

Also invited were Directors Oscar Parawan, RFU IX; Lealyn Ramos, RFU X; Roger Chio, RFU XI; Abusama Alid, RFU XII; Ricardo Regis, RFU CARAGA; and Cesar Rodriguez, RFU CAR.

The Senate also summoned Ibarra Poliquit, Bolante's former chief of staff and DA Assistant Secretary, who has continually defied the Senate's four subpoenas and one invitation by invoking Executive Order 464.

"Poliquit's testimony is equally vital to the final closure of the fertilizer fund controversy as he personally received direct orders from Bolante himself," Gordon said, mindful that EO 464 has already been declared unconstitutional.

Poliquit, who now serves as vice president for physical resource office of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), purportedly requested the transfer of some P115 million in Regions IV, V and VII.

Also scheduled, as resource persons for the hearing were Atty. Reynaldo Villar, chairman, Commission on Audit; DA Assistant Secretary Felix Montes; and Kalibo, Aklan Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, allegedly one of the recipients of the funds.