The Senate rules committee upheld on Monday the validity of a 2005 Senate order to arrest former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn 'Joc-joc' Bolante and endorsed the reopening of the investigation of P728 million fertilizer fund scam.

Nine senators attended a closed-door hearing chaired by rules committee chair and majority leader Francis Pangilinan.

In a briefing, Pangilinan said the committee has determined that the arrest order remains in force because of Bolante's continued defiance of Senate summonses and refusal to appear before the Senate to explain his role in the fund diversion.

The committee also referred the probe to the Senate blue ribbon committe, which, even before this, had already decided to call a hearing later this week.

The decision of the rules committee will later be presented before plenary. The senators will either vote on it on the floor or discuss it in caucus.

In light of Bolante's possible discharge from the hospital today, Pangilinan said the caucus will also discuss where to put the former official while waiting for the hearing.