MANILA: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been cleared of involvement in the multimillion-peso fertilizer fund scam but not 10 others, the Senate committee that investigated the scandal said in its report.
But while the blue ribbon committee “found no evidence” directly linking Arroyo to the controversy, the 130-page document said that the acts of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante, the alleged architect of the scam, and his cohorts were “deemed acts of the president since they acted within the scope of their authorities given to them by then Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr.,” who headed the Department of Agriculture at that time.
The committee, headed by Senator Richard Gordon, recommended the filing of plunder, technical malversation, money laundering, and false testimony or perjury against Bolante and the following:
Jaime Paule (plunder, money laundering, false testimony and perjury in solemn affirmation);
former Agriculture Assistant Secretary Ibarra Poliquit (plunder and technical malversation);
Agriculture Undersecretary Belinda Gonzales (plunder and technical malversation);
Maritess Aytona (plunder, money laundering, tax evasion, false testimoy or perjury, and disobdience to summons);
Leonicia Marco-Llarena (plunder, money laundering, and fake testimony and or perjury);
Jule Gregorio (plunder, money laundeing, tax evasion and disobedience to summons);
Marilyn Araos (plunder and money laundering);
Redentor Antolin (plunder and money laundering); and
Joselito Flordeliza (money laundering).
“Since there was no reprobation or disapproval coming from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regarding their actions, it can easily be inferred that the president acquiesced to such act,” said the report’s executive summary.
“Does anyone really believe that Bolante, et al, would have been able to malverse such a gargantuan amount and continue to evade all sorts of liability without the acquiesence of Malacañang?” it asked. Former Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin had alluded to Arroyo’s knowledge of the scam when she testified before the Senate’s investigation of the controversy during the 13th Congress, the report said.
Gordon also said the committee was supporting calls for the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for not acting on the investigation of the scam.
