Pimentel said that since Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the agriculture committee, is opposed to the resumption of the probe, the “next logical step” is to pass the task to the Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.” 

 

He pointed out that the committee on agriculture in the 13th Congress, chaired by then Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., was forced to discontinue the inquiry and come up with an interim report because Bolante repeatedly defied the Senate's summons. 

 

Bolante had later fled the country, making it even more impossible for the Senate to get his testimony, Pimentel added.   

 

"The Senate was snubbed by Bolante. Now that he is back, the Senate should assert its right to compel him to testify and speak up," Pimentel said. 

 

Pimentel said the submission of a report on the fertilizer fund by the Magsaysay committee does not in any way bar the Senate from conducting a new probe. 

 

Pimentel also said there will be no legal obstacle in the Blue Ribbon Committee's takeover of the fertilizer fund case. 

 

"The Blue Ribbon Committee is clothed with adequate powers. On its own, it can conduct an investigation without any referral (from the Senate plenary)," he said. 

 

Pimentel also urged Senate President Manuel Villar to call the senators to a caucus this week to resolve once for all the issue of what committee will hear Bolante's testimony.