One Big Joke-Joke

Arrival statement of Mr. Jocelyn Bolante

Many baseless accusations have been thrown against me these past years. I choose to remain silent, but I have come to realize that the more I remain silent, the more vicious the accusations have become.

My family and I had to endure the hardships and the humiliations attendant to these accusations. Now that I am back, I shall assure you that I will answer any and all accusations of the proper forum.

But first, I shall seek medical check up and treatment, due mainly to the mental and physical stress and ailment brought about due to my detention at the United states.

I had no intention of snobbing the Senate hearings and I had made known to the Senate in writing the reasons for my non-appearance that I had made prior commitments abroad which were set long before the Senate’s scheduled hearings.

In truth and in fact, I committed through counsel in writing to appear before the Senate during the last week of January 2006.

I left the Philippines on December 11, 2005. Shortly thereafter, the Senate issued a warrant for my arrest. My visa issued by the U.S. was then cancelled leading to my arrest and detention in the United States. This concerned my belief that forces from many fronts were out to get me—either in prison or six feet under the ground.

That is the main reason why I sought for asylum in the United States. It was not for me to escape from liability from the so-called fertilizer anomaly. It was for my safety and the life of my family who had been unduly dragged into this whole controversy.

But that is behind me now. Now that I am back, I shall now fulfill my promise of saying my peace, giving my side of the story. I am ready to face the issues and all the malicious accusations against me.

And so Jocelyn Bolante and others involved in the fertilizer fund diversion scam of 2003 still managed to be relieved of the graft charges filed by the late Marlene Esperat. R-e-a-l-l-y, now… The only malicious matter in this entire case and its dismissal is how low constitutional equity in this country can evidently get in favor of power and money usurpation.  Well, in essence, the case’s dismissal is not completely surprising: Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who made the decision [more like indecision], is reported to have personal ties with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Tsk, tsk.

As for Bolante’s reference to his [actually dubious] supposedly stress-induced medical conditions to delay testifying before the Senate on its fertilizer fund scam investigation, which in my opinion is a sensationalized appeal to pity [grrr!], Health Alliance for Democracy Secretary General Geneve Rivera gave the perfect summation: “Truth-telling is therapeutic.” [Haha. Nice one, doc.]

Am crossing my fingers that the Senate’s impending investigation would truly be in aid of legislation.