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| In this November 2008 photo, former Aagriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn ‘Jocjoc’ Bolante swears to tell the truth before the start of a Senate hearing on the fertilizer fund scam. The STAR/Manny Marcelo | By Rosette Adel |
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Special Second Division has cleared former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jojoc” Bolante of his plunder case in connection with the P723 million fertilizer fund scam.
The anti-graft court said it is dismissing the case of Bolante for there is no probable cause to hold him liable for the crime of plunder. It added that the judicial affidavit of witness Jose Barredo Jr. did not suffice to find the existence of probable cause.
Other conspirators named were former Agriculture Secretary Luis Ramon “Chito” Lorenzo, former Agriculture Assistant Secretary Ibarra Trinidad Poliquit and private individuals Jaime Paule, Marilyn Araos, Joselito Flordeliza, Marites Aytona and Leonicia Marco-Llarena.
“Wherefore, finding the motions filed by the accused to be meritorious and well taken the same are hereby GRANTED. Consequently, the information against the accused is hereby ordered DISMISSED for lack of probable cause,” the Sandiganbayan resolution read.
The Sandiganbayan issued a resolution on Aug. 15, 2014 stating that there was no probable cause to prove that Bolante pocketed money from the scam.
The decision was promulgated last week and was heard last November 28 was approved Sandiganbayan Special Second Division chair Associate Justice Samuel Martires. It was also signed by the division members, Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Michael Frederick Musngi.
Other conspirators named were former Agriculture Secretary Luis Ramon “Chito” Lorenzo, former Agriculture Assistant Secretary Ibarra Trinidad Poliquit and private individuals Jaime Paule, Marilyn Araos, Joselito Flordeliza, Marites Aytona and Leonicia Marco-Llarena.
“Wherefore, finding the motions filed by the accused to be meritorious and well taken the same are hereby GRANTED. Consequently, the information against the accused is hereby ordered DISMISSED for lack of probable cause,” the Sandiganbayan resolution read.
The decision was promulgated last week and was heard last November 28 was approved Sandiganbayan Special Second Division chair Associate Justice Samuel Martires. It was also signed by the division members, Associate Justices Alexander Gesmundo and Michael Frederick Musngi.
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