MANILA, Philippines ? Malacañang has welcomed the Commission on Audit report clearing former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn ?Joc-joc? Bolante of involvement in the multimillion-peso fertilizer fund scam.

?We're happy that they did not see any irregularity,? undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo, deputy presidential spokesperson, said in a briefing.

Fajardo expressed hopes that the COA report would put an end to critics' charges linking Malacañang, through Bolante, to the fund scam.

?We expect that this would end. It's about time that this issue be put to rest. Now that the Bolante has been cleared, hopefully we can move forward and focus on programs especially in agriculture that benefit farmers,? she said.

The COA report showed no irregularity on the part of Bolante, a close ally of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, in the disbursement of funds for the distribution of fertilizer in the run-up to the 2004 vote.

Palawan Representative Abraham Mitra of the committee on food and agriculture had indicated that the committee report would depend on the findings of COA.