Two months before the May 2004 presidential election, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a presidential candidate, accused President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, herself running for election, of “virtual vote-buying” by authorizing the release of P728 million to favored officials to buy farm inputs like fertilizer and pesticide for their constituents, as part of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) project.

Two months after the election, former Solicitor General Frank Chavez filed a plunder case against Ms Arroyo in connection with Lacson’s allegation. Chavez named Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante as one of those who signed the papers for the release and disposition of the funds.

Bolante was tasked with overseeing the implementation of the GMA project after then Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo, who was reportedly wary of the alleged graft in the project, assigned it to him.

Bolante resigned as agriculture undersecretary in September 2004.

No-show

In October 2005, the Senate committee on agriculture chaired by then Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. opened its inquiry into the fertilizer fund. Bolante did not show up on the first day, and flew to Los Angeles hours before the second Senate hearing on Oct. 26.

In November that year, Magsaysay sought the assistance of the US Embassy and Rotary International in locating Bolante, who was also a no-show at the Nov. 17 and 24 hearings.

Bolante reportedly arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Dec. 5, 2005. But he was able to leave again on Dec. 11 on board a Cathay Pacific flight for Hong Kong en route to the United States, days after the Bureau of Immigration put him on its watch list.

The Senate cited Bolante in contempt and ordered his arrest on Dec. 13, 2005.

On Jan. 17, 2006, in a petition submitted through the Philippine Consul in Chicago, Bolante asked the Supreme Court to stop the Senate from implementing the arrest order. He said he was willing to attend the Senate hearings, but he snubbed the Jan. 31 and Feb. 2 hearings.

Charges recommended

In March 2006, the Senate’s blue ribbon and agriculture committees released a report recommending the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Bolante and other agriculture officials.

The report also said Ms Arroyo should be “held accountable” for the mismanagement of the fund. Inquirer Research