Cayetano urges Senate Blue Ribbon to reopen P728-M fertilizer fund scam

Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano. Photo courtesy of Cayetano’s Facebook page.

MANILA — Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday filed a resolution directing the Senate Blue Ribbon committee to reopen the inquiry, in aid of legislation, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Cayetano filed Senate Resolution No. 655 in light of the recent dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman of the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the alleged misuse of the fertilizer fund in 2004.

The senator also cited new vital information revealed by witnesses and the alleged involving of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles in the scam as reasons to reopen the fertilizer fund scam probe.

”In view of the foregoing, it becomes imperative for the blue ribbon committee to re-open its investigation into the P728-M fertilizer fund scam in order for the Filipino to finally know the complete truth behind the scam and to sustain this comprehensive battle towards the eradication of graft and corruption in government,” Cayetano said.

Based on recent news reports, pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy has in his possession information that the fertilizer fund scam was also designed by Napoles.

Napoles is the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam that siphoned some P10 billion out of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of lawmakers.

”Looking into the intricacies of the alleged involvement of Janet Napoles in the fertilizer fund scam will provide invaluable insights into the evolution of the pork barrel scam,” Cayetano stated in his resolution.

According to report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) confirmed that two-thirds of around P300 million worth of fertilizers were allegedly overpriced.

It was former senator Ramon Magsaysay who initiated the fertilizer fund scam inquiry in the 13th Congress.

Aside from former President Arroyo, other implicated in the fertilizer fund scam include former Department of Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante and former assistant secretary Ibarra Poliquit.

Last Monday, Cayetano said the reopening of the fertilizer fund scam can be used by the Senate to invite some of the persons implicated pork barrel scam like Napoles and Luy.