What are your thoughts on Joc-Joc Bolante's extradition to the Philippines?

Ma. Victoria Marifosque, METRO MANILA: Well and good for the sake of justice. He should have faced the music instead of trying to run away. If indeed he is innocent, then let’s hear of it.  

Wendell Wisco, Bulacan: Why did it take so long to extradite him? Perhaps the grand plan of a great whitewash took two years to incubate.  

Deported, not extradited

Leonard Villa, Batac City: He didn’t go through the extradition process. Deportation is the right term for Bolante’s return to the Philippines. He was staying illegally in the US, which was the reason for his “deportation”.  

Why hide if you’re innocent?

Debbie Genato, Quezon City: There’s nothing to be afraid of and there’s no reason to hide if he is really innocent. There’s nowhere to run and hide now.  

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: I won’t believe Joc-Joc if he says that there wasn’t any irregularity in his transactions. His planned asylum in the US proves his guilt.  

The truth will set him free

James Gaw, Parañaque City: I just want him to tell the truth. Where did the money from the fertilizer scam go? Who authorized it? And, if there was no scam, then just show us the receipts with the breakdown of the distributions.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: The homecoming of Joc-Joc Bolante may reveal the whole truth about the fertilizer scam. That is, if he will tell all. Those who wanted Joc-Joc Bolante to stay in the US or anywhere abroad forever failed because they cannot bribe the Americans. Now that he is finally here, the Senate security staff must not take their eyes off him. He may just evaporate and no government agency can find him until he could no longer talk. Does the government think they can fool us all the time?  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Welcome, Joc-Joc. May you have the cajones to tell the truth behind the P700-million fertilizer scam of 2002. If you don’t, you lose. If you do, you fry!  

Digoy Coro, Batangas: It’s just and proper. Joc-Joc must now speak on who really benefited from such funds. Then, punishment should follow for the guilty.  

Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia: Mr. Bolante’s extradition to the Philippines was due to his expired visa, nothing more. He should face the Senate hearing and explain his side regarding the fertilizer scam as he had said in his written statement upon his arrival. He must not follow the footsteps of Gen. Eliseo de la Paz who snubbed the hearing after repeatedly telling the media that he would attend.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Before Joc-Joc Bolante became the Undersecretary of Agriculture, he was a millionaire a hundred times over. Maybe it was difficult to refuse the request of a friend, or greed could have driven him to accept the government post. He got enmeshed in a P786-million deal before he sought refuge abroad. After three years in exile, Bolante came home a sick man, looking 20 years older. Nobody could have recognized him had he come back incognito. Repentance always comes last, but Bolante can still save whatever is left of his honor and that of his family’s by telling the truth. Good luck, Bolante. May the Providence guide you accordingly.  

Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte: His extradition is good for the country only if he talks, and if he does, he must talk truthfully. If he is clean, he must say so and prove it. If not, he should admit it and confess everything he knows. Only then will he find the peace that evaded him in his exile in the US. It’s no joke, Joc-Joc, the truth will set you free.  

Rommel Ryan Torres, Angeles City: He has to tell everything he knows. This is the right opportunity to clear his name if he is not guilty. I’m hoping that he will tell the truth and help punish the culprit.  

Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City: Joc-Joc Bolante left the country as a chubby boyish-looking man full of energy and returned two years later looking quite old, sickly, and defeated. It only goes to show that money and power if attained through corruption and deceit will never give you peace of mind. He should finally come clean and tell the whole truth to save not only his health but his soul as well.  

Rizalina Reyes, Las Piñas City: Joc-joc Bolante’s appeal for political asylum was denied by the proper authorities in the US, so now his two-year saga of eluding the Philippine Senate has come to an end. He has no other recourse this time but to face the Philippine Senate and shed light on reports that P728 million in fertilizer funds in his care then as Usec. for Finance of the Department of Agriculture, was deflected to GMA’s campaign fund in 2004. Although I’m quite suspicious as to why Sen. Angara seems hell-bent on forestalling a Senate investigation on Bolante, I guess this is the right time to open the much-awaited case so as to make a clean breast of things. This is the time for the former Usec. to spill the beans, because the truth will set him free.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Will the truth set Joc-Joc free from the quicksand of the scam? A number of folks are now quaking in their boots while keeping tabs on their erratic blood pressure.

The tipping point

Norberto Robles, Taguig: It seems like the ragtag destabilizers, led by the black bishops and abetted by an asdministration-bashing network, see in the Joc-Joc Bolante extradition the hoped-for tipping point that will oust GMA.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: It’s one way of sending a message or getting even with PGMA with regard to the junked MOA-AD with the MILF.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Serves him right. He should know that crime does not pay.  

The court is now the proper forum

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: It’s circus time again for senators and other politicians who badly need media exposure. Let the court handle the case.  

Tony Gomez, Parañaque City: On Joc-Joc, nothing will happen as in all previous cases because the Supreme Court is the key, and, shamefully, it’s in GMA’s hands.  

Seth Carranza, Catanduanes:  With Bolante in town, the Senate or the opposition should now charge him in court in as much as they’ve been trumpeting that they have strong and compelling evidence against him.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Having implicated PGMA in the alleged fertilizer scam, the situation will be exploited for destabilization. The court is now the proper forum for the case.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: The extradition is long expected. The Senate and Ombudsman should coordinate with each other to continue investigating the alleged scam without any grandstanding.  

More political entertainment

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: The extradition puts forward another pair of dancing feet in the ballroom of political entertainment.  

Perry Cruz, Parañaque City: My thoughts about Joc-Joc Bolante’s extradition is that it will be another zarzuela in the Philippines. The hands of Malacañang will surely play again.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Joc-Joc Bolante’s revelations at the Senate hearing may only end up like a joke similar to Jun Lozada’s inquisition. Lights, camera, action!  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: As usual, it will have the twists and turns of a telenovela and will end in confusion.  

Double jeopardy?

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Another investigation on the Bolante case will result in double jeopardy, as Sen. Angara said.  

R. Santos, Isabela: How depressing that no plunder case has been filed against Bolante. The Ombudsman is silent.  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Sen. Angara and those senators who are for Bolante’s arrest are looking at the same situation but have different views and interpretations. Myopia, o may SOP siya?  

Hope he sheds light on fertilizer scam

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Good, so the fertilizer scam questions can now be answered. I hope the story and the person won’t just disappear in thin air.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Now that he’s been extradited, I hope he’ll tell all. He should be made aware that there are politician leeches around him.  

Alvin Perez, Manila: His extradition here may or may not clear the issues being thrown against him regarding the fertilizer fund scam. He may answer if GMA really benefited from the fund or he may clear her. Being close to FG, I think he’ll clear GMA eventually. I think that’s still something to look forward to. I hope he’ll change his ways and make amends.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: I wish he has gained wisdom. I wish he’ll help us untangle the deeply embedded secrets of fertilizer scam which have long been denied to us.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It is just proper to extradite him so that he can shed light on the fertilizer scam, which should not be totally ignored because it is a very highly explosive issue. We cannot afford another scam issue gone pfft!  

Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City: So, he’s the “new kid back in town.” Many are waiting to see how he’ll face the consequences of his disappearing act three years ago. I wish him luck.  

Sleepless nights

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Some people are having sleepless nights thinking that the ghost of the fertilizer scam will haunt them.  

A joke

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: The extradition of Joc-Joc Bolante is just a waste of time and money. He has powerful allies, and most of them benefited from the multi-million scam.  

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: Joc-Joc is one big part of the puzzle. Now that the Senate has finally caught up with him, I hope they can extract as much juice as he has down to the core. He must face the music, although I know all this will just go nowhere. What a waste again!  

It’s show time!

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: The country would have been better off having Joc-Joc Bolante extradited after 2010. Nothing will come out of the Senate investigation. It will just provide senators another opportunity to grandstand. The Ombudsman is also under the bidding of the Palace. Bolante will be absolved before 2010, together with the President, 105 solons, 53 governors and others who partook in the P3.4-billion DA scam.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: It’s show time for the good senators of the land. Let’s see their individual performances on center stage.  

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: I silently said, “Here we go again!” After several rounds of investigative inquiry, will this come to a speedy conclusion and closure? I hope something comes out of a surely well-watched TV coverage that might reproduce the same comical and inane questions from you-know-who! I am tempted to request, “Will the honorable senators please have their lawyers go over their questions first before blurting them out in the inquiry? Will they please maintain a high level of protocol and decorum?”

Here we go again

Aldo Apostol, California: Forget it. It will just die a natural death, just like the Lozada exposé.  

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: This is another government moro-moro that will be overshadowed by a bigger controversy.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: The extradition of Joc-Joc Bolante is another political drama. Nothing will happen, except endless investigations. The same scenario will happen to Gen. Dela Paz. Do you expect these people to be ever convicted? Maybe, but with our snail-paced justice system, it will take centuries before a final decision is reached.  

E. Linsangan, Isabela: Bolante’s extradition will not amount to anything. Though it came out with a big bang, it will surely end with nary a whimper.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: For sure, “presidentiables” keenly await another drama in the Senate. However, the problem, as usual, will be the ending.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: I would not be surprised if this P728-million fertilizer fund scam ends the way other investigations of fraudulent acts of government ended. Bolante is blessed with his extradition.  

Truth will remain elusive

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The government is pretending that it’s not lifting finger on Bolante, but I’m sure he was already insulated while still in the USA. Thus, he’ll probably not tell the truth.  

Reynaldo Agbayani, Baggao, Cagayan: I don’t think Bolante will tell the whole truth.  

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: I expect the tentacles of GMA to do everything to suppress the truth and stop Joc-Joc from telling all. Angara and Gonzales are just two of them. Let’s see.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Bolante’s return is just a molehill that will never turn into a mountain despite the brouhaha and ruckus emanating from media and interested parties. Like ZTE-NBN, the Macapagal Blvd., Comelec automation scams, etc., it will not perturb PGMA’s hold to power. PGMA’s firmly sits on her throne of bayonets guarded by PNP-AFP generals.  

Let’s not be too quick to judge

Rene Poder, Manila: According to my trusted employee who worked for retired Col. Bolante, Joc-Joc’s father, they were honest, kind men. Let’s not judge him.  

Malacañang to the rescue

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Las Piñas City: Only in the Philippines! When you steal P2,000, you end up in jail. Steal millions and you get special treatment. I doubt it if Bolante will go to jail.  

Janet Lopez, Manila: This regime certainly did not break its back trying to bring him back. Now, he needs hospitalization. The toxic fumes of this fertilizer scam are sickening!  

Benjamin Tecson, Metro Manila: They put one over us again. Big Joc is confined at St. Luke’s, which is the first couple’s favorite hospital. I suggest the Senate get their own doctor or specialist to monitor the health of Big Joc. Otherwise, he might stay there forever.  

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Bolante’s timely extradition to the Philippines is Plan B. Plan A was “Adieu, Euro General!” Watch out for Plan C, Cha-cha.  

Myra Flores, Aklan: Joc-Joc will for sure be saved by another superhero in the field of corruption.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Just like any in the long line of GMA’s agents of doom, Bolante will not serve the ends of the truth and justice. This corrupt government will see to that.  

Gerry Del Cano, Muntinlupa City: Joc-Joc is ready. That’s why he’s here. Expect a superhero to save him from disaster.  

He deserves an acting award

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Let’s see if his acting out his role in Ang Pagbabalik ni Joc-Joc is realistic and tailor-made for him. This might win him a Famas award.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Best Actor. That is how I describe Bolante. Good for him at na-deport, if not, another hoodlum would have escaped the law and would have lived in luxury in the US. Hindi kaya ni Ma’am to conceal all the evidence that would pin down Bolante, kasi sabit siya dito.  

On pins and needles

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Manny Villar’s revised order to arrest Joc-Joc is but appropriate. Bolante has turned the investigative power of the Philippine Senate into a mockery of the highest order. He made himself as slippery as a bulate needing the INS to corner him in the US. This gave us more needless embarrassment. He should be put in the Senate’s hot seat to clear matters of great concern to the people, and should he lie to save his accomplices or masters, he should be put to slumber in a gas chamber. Can you imagine the high-cost brouhaha he has stirred at the expense of our empty pockets?  

Time to face the music

Ed Alawi, Davao City: The US Senate was duly informed by our RP Senate of the arrest order on Bolante. This could have influenced the US authorities to extradite Bolante.  

THE WAY I SEE IT

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Those five bishops calling for the creat­ion of a n­­­­­ew government should instead run for the 2010 elections. They’re making things complicated.

Loi Castillo, Davao City: While watching the BBC and CNN broadcasts about the US presidential elections, I can see how mudslinging and dirty politics worked between Obama and Mc Cain. No wonder, the same strategies are used here by local politicians since we are a former US colony.  

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Watching Lacson sit beside the senate Sgt.-at-arms and ridiculing the “soft” treatment given to Bolante by Villar shows us the mean and real character of Lacson. Little does Lacson realize that the more he talks and the more he exposes himself on TV, the more he exposes his true self to the public.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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