By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Breaking his silence on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito†Lorenzo said it was then Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc†Bolante who had full control of the money.
Lorenzo also sought the dismissal of the complaints against him in the counteraffidavit he submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on Aug. 16.
The Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office earlier said Lorenzo and Bolante might be liable for graft and malversation of public funds. The findings are undergoing preliminary investigation.
Bolante, who has maintained his innocence, submitted on Aug. 11 a supplemental counteraffidavit detailing why he should not be held liable for the use of the funds.
Bolante had testified that Lorenzo, who served as agriculture secretary from December 2002 to August 2004, authorized him to “download money†for the purchase of fertilizer and farm implements in 2004. The money was purportedly funneled to the presidential campaign of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
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