Jocjoc may be called by House on GMA impeachment

MANILA, Philippines – Embattled former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante will be summoned by the House of Representatives in connection with the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo, but “only if it (impeachment) passes the test in substance.”

This as a ranking official of the House of Representatives clarified yesterday that any endorsement from former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. on the latest impeachment complaint against President Arroyo is not necessary as even one endorsement will do.

“Jocjoc will definitely be summoned once the substance (of the impeachment complaint) is determined,” said Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor, chairman of the House committee on justice that will pass judgment on the impeachment complaint.

The P728-million fertilizer scam allegedly masterminded by Bolante, a close ally of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, has been made an integral part of the impeachment complaint businessman Jose de Venecia III, son of the former speaker, filed in the House.

“I don’t think we can talk about the alleged fertilizer scam without inviting Jocjoc Bolante to appear before the House. And we will do that,” Defensor told the weekly Ayes and Nays forum in Quezon City.

“Legally, it’s (endorsement) no longer needed. It (impeachment complaint) does not require the signature of the (former) speaker.” 

The senior administration lawmaker issued the statement in light of the disclosure made by De Venecia’s businessman-son Jose III that his father will prepare the endorsement “in front of the (Philippine) consular office in San Francisco (in the US)” either today or tomorrow.

Defensor said this could be done, for as long as it is “notarized properly.”

“The endorsement is valid even if done in the US,” he explained.

House insiders described the De Venecia endorsement as nothing but “media hype or propaganda” aimed at making it appear that the Pangasinan congressman could still convince lawmakers to help remove Mrs. Arroyo from office.

So far, mostly militant lawmakers have endorsed the De Venecia impeachment complaint, among them Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño, and women’s group Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza.

The former speaker will be back in Manila on Nov. 6 or 7.

House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora earlier expressed exasperation after De Venecia left for the US on the day he announced that he would endorse the complaint.