End of the road for Jocjoc

I’ve always wondered what former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn ‘Jocjoc’ Bolante would do if he ever return to the country. The so-called architect of the “Fertilizer Fund Scam” has returned after almost three years exile in the United States. Three years of applying for political asylum, three years of appealing for the same. At the end of it all, the courts saw no proof that Bolante’s life was in danger and, finally, had him deported. We all know the events that unfolded upon his arrival at the airport, to his VIP treatment via a racing convoy to St. Luke’s Medical Center. From one place of exile to another!

And just who exactly is Jocelyn Bolante? Before entering government service, he was a successful executive of a well-known insurance company. This is where he made his initial fortune. But, apparently, it was not enough. Upon early retirement from the company, he became Undersecretary of Agriculture — many say because of his “closeness” to the First Gentleman. I, personally, have yet to prove this. Bolante started making “calls” on congressmen. According to one of these congressmen, Bolante became the bag-man for the DA, with due credit to his slick PR style and friendly demeanor. He was described as a jolly person. He would send letters to the solons asking them, “how they wanted the budget of the Department of Agriculture disbursed?”. When their modus operandi was discovered, it was revealed that these same congressmen were just as involved in the now infamous scam. Funds were disbursed for what were supposed to be fertilizer, farming implements and equipment, irrigation – even for places where there was no arable land — like Metro Manila. Some were earmarked for the “Masaganang Ani” program. What exactly is supposed to be harvested when there was nothing planted nor grown to begin with? This is where billions of government money were disbursed anomalously.

And so Bolante, and those involved and those who benefitted, indeed, have a lot to answer for. This is widely believed to be the true reason for his self-exile to the United States. The “danger” Bolante claimed to have been eluding from the country may have been true as well. There would logically be danger when too many powerful people’s careers and reputations are on the line. It would take a bullet to keep all of them safe. So, yes, Bolante was prepared to go to jail in the US instead. Yes, he has reason to fear for his life, if he ever spilled the beans. But in the eyes of the people, in the court of public opinion, Bolante is already guilty. The saying goes that flight is a sign of guilt. And because of the staggering amount involved in the scam, he has a lot to explain to the Senate, the farmers who were expecting these funds and the Filipino taxpayers. And if Romulo Neri was able to play the Executive Privilege card to remain silent, Bolante cannot. He may try to go this way but, clearly, only the President can invoke executive privilege and save him now — which she may not be inclined to do at the risk of being drawn into the media feeding frenzy surrounding this man today. In fact, the Palace is trying its best to distance themselves from a person who was once, or maybe still is, one of their own. Jun Lozada puts in his two cents and advices Bolante to start telling the truth, since it may seem that his “friends” have abandoned him.

We can be certain that Bolante will hog the news for weeks to come. Once again, the attention of the public has successfully been diverted away from other ongoing issues such as the “Euro Generals”, “The Road to Nowhere” and “The Melamine Scare”. Many have already forgotten the ZTE/NBN deal, the Swine Scam, Northrail, Southrail, and a whole lot more. We can even include the Sulpicio Lines and Joanna Jesh accidents. There seems to be a good supply of issues to divert attention away from the Arroyo administration until 2010. By that time, her term will have ended, the issues will remain unresolved, no one will be found guilty, no one punished. This comes of no surprise from a government devoid of conscience. The Arroyo Administration knows all too well how media and the public will behave — on many instances quite accurately proven. It now lies with the media and the public again whether the resurrected fertilizer fund scam, running by the billions of unaccounted disbursements — will join the roster.