Survey: jail those in P728-M scam

Boholanos were united as one in demanding that those involved in the P728-million fertilizer scam during the Arroyo administration be imprisoned behind bars.

Ninety-two percent of the respondents articulated their indignation on the alleged huge fund anomaly saying that those behind the release and use of the outlay should be pinned by the court to serve jail terms.

Of those who demanded for the "culprits" be jailed, 23% was of the opinion that those to be convicted should serve a life sentence considering the amount involved in the alleged scam.

"The almost 1 billion pesos could have fed thousands of poor Filipinos," a respondent said, citing that it could be the biggest fund scam in the country which was released under one specific program disguised as a farmer-beneficiary initiative project.

The survey was conducted among radio listeners yesterday during the top-rated "Radyo Merkado" of dyRD-AM with respondents sending their opinions through phone call and text messages.

"The persons involved in the scam should not only be jailed but should be asked to refund the amount to the government," another respondent said.

Yesterday's survey was one of the most recent surveys conducted wherein the heretofore passive Boholanos suddenly became vocal and strong in demanding such due course of imprisonment of the top government officials involved in the scam.

However, Boholanos remained objective on the called investigation saying that "diligent and due process should be assured to those suspected to be involved in the fund mess."

The Boholanos' views on the raging issue surfaced following reports that former Agriculture Secretary Luis "Cito" Lorenzo might turn state witness and "tell what he knows of the alleged diversion of fertilizer funds for farmers to the election fund in 2004."

It may be recalled that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. declared that his probe team had already gathered enough evidence to pin down those involved in the anomaly.

Magsaysay told The Phil Star that if the Ombudsman still fails to act on the issue, then, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should step in - in order for the case to progress.

YAP: NOT DURING MY WATCH

Newly installed Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd district) who succeeded Luis "Cito" Lorenzo as agriculture secretary said the "fertilizer scam happened in 2004 at a time when I was not yet the agriculture secretary."

"In the period I became secretary, I banned the procurement of fertilizers because we felt then that the farmers urgent needs were irrigation, seeds and extension support," Yap continued when contacted by the Chronicle for comments.

However, he said that "even if he was not the agri secretary at that time, he cooperated with all investigating agencies to help shed light on questions involving the matter.."

Asked to comment on Lorenzo's decision to testify, Rep. Yap said "that is his decision, as only he can shed light on these matters, and I respect his decision on this."

In last Friday;s Philippine Star, the Bohol solon, in a banner story was quoted as saying he "would cooperate in the investigation of the P728-million scam."

Yap was quoted by The Philippine Star last Friday saying he "cooperated with any government agency when he was agriculture secretary." He was the chief of the National Food Authority (NFA) at the time of the scam.

Yap succeeded Lorenzo as DA boss after the former hurriedly went to the United States in 2005, apparently to avoid congressional inquiries into the alleged fund mess.

Yap told the Star he had "nothing to do with the anomaly" saying he was not even invited by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee headed by former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. which investigated the alleged scam.