Another fertilizer fund scam in the works? - Malaya 10.05.2006
BY DENNIS GADIL
THE Senate finance committee yesterday sought assurance from the Department of Agrarian Reform that a P1 billion bridge construction program in its budget for 2007 intended to benefit farmers would not go the way of the fertilizer fund scam during the 2004 elections.
"Ating titingnan na ito ay hindi magiging fertilizer fund scam muli dahil may halalan muli sa susunod na taon," Sen. Franklin Drilon, committee chair, said.
Drilon said he was convinced by assurances from DAR officials that no funds for the "Tulay ng Pangulo sa Magsasaka" would be diverted to other government agencies.
He said the bridge program aims to connect by bridges all of DAR’s agrarian reform communities (ARCs).
Drilon said the project is unprecedented. "This is the first time that DAR is involved in this bridge program, to our recollection," he said.
He said the bridge program, funded by P11 billion borrowed from the United Kingdom, runs until 2012.
Drilon added: "We want to make certain is that this P1 billion bridge program will not suffer the same fate as the P900 million fund that was transferred just before the election from DAR to DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)."
Drilon was referring to the agrarian reform fund which was released to the DPWH just before the 2004 elections.
Opposition groups have said that the funds were used to buy support of local government leaders through infrastructure projects.
In its probe on the P728 million fertilizer scam, the Senate committee on agriculture and food chaired by Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. found that the funds were released to congressional districts and local government units.
Magsaysay’s panel also recommended that criminal charges be filed against officials of the agriculture department led by former undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante.
The Senate has issued arrest warrants against Bolante. He was arrested last July by US immigration agents after the US Embassy canceled his visa upon the request of Magsaysay.
THE Senate finance committee yesterday sought assurance from the Department of Agrarian Reform that a P1 billion bridge construction program in its budget for 2007 intended to benefit farmers would not go the way of the fertilizer fund scam during the 2004 elections.
"Ating titingnan na ito ay hindi magiging fertilizer fund scam muli dahil may halalan muli sa susunod na taon," Sen. Franklin Drilon, committee chair, said.
Drilon said he was convinced by assurances from DAR officials that no funds for the "Tulay ng Pangulo sa Magsasaka" would be diverted to other government agencies.
He said the bridge program aims to connect by bridges all of DAR’s agrarian reform communities (ARCs).
Drilon said the project is unprecedented. "This is the first time that DAR is involved in this bridge program, to our recollection," he said.
He said the bridge program, funded by P11 billion borrowed from the United Kingdom, runs until 2012.
Drilon added: "We want to make certain is that this P1 billion bridge program will not suffer the same fate as the P900 million fund that was transferred just before the election from DAR to DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)."
Drilon was referring to the agrarian reform fund which was released to the DPWH just before the 2004 elections.
Opposition groups have said that the funds were used to buy support of local government leaders through infrastructure projects.
In its probe on the P728 million fertilizer scam, the Senate committee on agriculture and food chaired by Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. found that the funds were released to congressional districts and local government units.
Magsaysay’s panel also recommended that criminal charges be filed against officials of the agriculture department led by former undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante.
The Senate has issued arrest warrants against Bolante. He was arrested last July by US immigration agents after the US Embassy canceled his visa upon the request of Magsaysay.
posted by brodkaster43 at Huwebes, Oktubre 05, 2006
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