Ombudsman: No whitewash in fertilizer fund scam probe

Ombudsman-Visayas director Virginia Santiago has assured farmer's group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas that there would be no whitewash in the ongoing fact-finding inquiry into the P3 billion fertilizer fund scam that allegedly involved three Cebuano congressmen and the Department of Agriculture director in Central Visayas.

Santiago also assured KMP chairman Panfilo Arpay and his group during a silent protest the other day at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas that there would be no delay in the investigation.

The KMP wanted to know the status of the probe against Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco, Cebu second district Rep. Sim Kintanar, Cebu third district Rep. Antonio Yapha and DA regional director Eduardo Leccionnes who were implicated in the scam.

Last Friday, over 10 KMP members trooped to the anti-graft office to express concern about the "seemingly sluggish" investigation by the Ombudsman of former DA undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante, the prime suspect in the scam.

Santiago informed the group that the result of their separate fact-finding inquiry into the possible involvement of Cuenco and other lawmakers in the scam were already forwarded to their Manila office.

"With the arrest of Bolante, it is imperative that the necessary charges are immediately filed by the Ombudsman to facilitate the extradition to the country of Bolante and to strengthen the Philippine government's grip on the former official" Arpay said.

Bolante was arrested in Los Angeles, California on July 7.

Santiago said the result of their inquiry was forwarded to Assistant Ombudsman Leo Carandang, who heads the Task Force Abuno, which was created to conduct the investigation into the alleged irregularity.

"Maybe next month duna nay result sa fact-finding inquiry. You know it was forwarded to Manila office kay tua man didto magsugod ang alleged irregularity," Santiago told the farmers.

KMP urged the Ombudsman to "fast-track" the investigation with the recommendation of Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr, chairman of the Senate committee investigating the anomaly.

"Bolante must answer for his crimes against the peasant masses and tell all that he knows of the scam. Thus, we are hoping that you can bring to the attention of Ombudsman Gutierrez the urgent demand of Cebu's marginalized farmers to have Bolante indicted for plunder and subsequently extradited to the Philippines to face trial," Arpay asked director Santiago.

KMP vowed that it would initiate more protests to pressure the anti-graft office to hasten the investigation. - Ramil V. Ayuman