Final closure to Senate probe of fertilizer scam

MANILA, Nov. 10 — The Senate should expeditiously bring to final closure its investigation into the alleged abuse and misuse of the P728-million fertilizer fund diversion scam, Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today said.

While he favors a reopening of the Senate's investigation in aid of legislation into the controversial fertilizer fund scam, Gordon said the Senate should expeditiously finish it and submit whatever new findings it may bring out to the Ombudsman.

"Let the Senate do what it has to do within its power. But in determining whoever is liable, let us do so swiftly and allow every prosecutorial arm of the government run after them. It is time we find final closure to this controversy," he said.

As a member of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Gordon pointed out that in Joint Committee Report No. 54, one of the recommendations was to enforce the order of contempt and serve the arrest warrant against Bolante and his cohorts.

"The fertilizer fund scam will never be closed without the testimony of its brains and implementor - Jocelyn Bolante," he said, as he read the joint committee report's 9th recommendation.

According to him, he hopes that the Senate will focus on resolving issues that remained in vexing obscurity and not be dragged into partisan politics as it decides to reopen the investigation into the fertilizer fund scandal in aid of legislation.

"This has now become a moral issue pleading for our immediate action. We must therefore rise above partisan politics, and ferret out the truth that has long evaded us. If we are to move forward, we have to settle this controversy now," he said. (PNA)