Senate subpoenas agri fund ‘bagman’
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:21:00 12/01/2008
Filed Under: Joc-joc Bolante, Graft & Corruption
MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate committee investigating the P728 million fertilizing fund scam has issued a subpoena against a certain Jimmy Paule to explain his alleged involvement in the scandal.
Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, said he has formally requested the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to locate and serve the subpoena against Paule, whom Jose Barredo Jr. linked with Maritess Aytona at last week’s hearing.
Barredo is a key witness in the Senate’s ongoing inquiry on the issue while Aytona was the alleged “runner” of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, who has been tagged as the alleged mastermind in the scam.
During last week’s hearing, Barredo claimed that Paule was Aytona’s link to Malacañang.
“We do not know yet if Paule is connected with Malacañang. I think we should get Paule. He would have to be subpoenaed,” said Gordon.
“Paule appears to be the financier of a fertilizer distributor who has alleged ties to Malacañang. He may know a lot about this. He appears to be the financier,” he pointed out.
The senator said Paule also appeared to be the “bagman” in the fund scam.
“Paule appears to be somebody who distributed the money. But I do not know yet if he is Bolante’s man. That is why I want to summon him to appear in the next hearing,” he added.
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