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'Joc-joc' urged to take lie detector test

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/20/2008 7:46 PM

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House committee on agriculture and food chair Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra on Thursday challenged former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante to undergo a lie detector test.

Mitra said he cannot believe that Bolante doesn’t know alleged Department of Agriculture (DA) agents Jose Barredo and Maritess Aytona, who supposedly offered Capiz Rep. Antonio Del Rosario a commission from the fertilizer fund in 2004. 

On Tuesday, Del Rosario told the committee, which is investigating the P728-million fertilizer fund mess, that Barredo and Aytona offered him P5-million in fertilizer fund, but was told that only 40 percent of the funding will be used to purchase liquid foliar fertilizer.
 
Del Rosario said he was told that half of the remaining 60 percent would supposedly go to Bolante and they may use the other half to finance his campaign. He was then the mayor of Roxas City . 

Bolante, who was present in the hearing, belied the allegation of Del Rosario. He said it was “impossible” that he would be given the funds because he did not request for it. Bolante maintained that “there was no fertilizer fund scam.”

Mitra acknowledged that he cannot force Bolante to undergo a lie detector test. He said he also knows that the result is inadmissible in court. But if Bolante refuses, Mitra said it will suggest that he has something to hide.

Mitra said he also wants to prove that Bolante is not getting a special treatment in the House of Representatives.

The lower house will continue grilling Bolante on December 12. Mitra said Barredo and Aytona will also be called.

Mitra’s suggestion to put Bolante through a lie detector test was supported by Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor and Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon.

“It can help. Kung kailangan, walang masama. It can be done,” Defensor said. 

“Kung gusto ng committee, why not?” Biazon added.  

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño also called for the investigation of the congressmen dragged into the fertilizer fund mess.

At least 100 congressmen in the 13th Congress reportedly benefited from the fertilizer funds. Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano earlier said that about 30 of them were reelected in the 14th Congress.

 Asked to comment on Casiño’s proposal, Mitra said the he should should make a formal manifestation when the hearing resumes in December.