Yapha welcomes Bolante's return

CEBU - Former Cebu third district representative Antonio Yapha sees the return of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante as a great help to clear his name in the anomalous fertilizer scam in 2004.

Yapha, whose district benefited from the P6 million fertilizer fund funneled through the accounts of Kasosyo Foundation, said that Bolante is the answer to everything.

“Lipay kaayo ko kay makatabang ni sa tanan,” Yapha told radio station dyLA yesterday.

Yapha was linked to the anomalous project under the Ginintuang Masagani Ani Program of the Department of Agriculture after it was found out that the incorporators of the Kososyo Foundation where DA-7 released the fund were the former congressmen’s staff and driver.

Based on the records from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the foundation’s telephone numbers listed in its registration papers were actually the same as those of Yapha’s medical clinic.

Asked if he is willing to face investigation, Yapha refused to give a categorical answer except by saying that he would only wait for the proper time.

It was also noted that he tried to avoid further questions during the interview by cutting it short.

Aside from Yapha, Cebu City Rep. Antonio Cuenco’s south district reportedly benefited from the controversial program. Like Yapha, Cuenco also welcomed Bolante’s return. – Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)