Press Release
December 10, 2008

Senate blue ribbon panel approves Bolante's release

The Senate blue ribbon committee today approved the immediate release of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante from the Senate's custody after it has filed charges against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon, committee chair, said that Bolante would be released from Senate custody as formal charges have been filed for violation of Articles 150 (disobedience to summons) and 183 (false testimony) of the Revised Penal Code.

"We have decided to order the immediate release of Mr. Jocelyn Bolante from the Senate custody pursuant to the contempt order we issued last Dec. 3," he said.

Bolante was punished for contempt for his evasive and false testimonies during the Nov. 13, 25, & 28 hearings, thereby detaining him in the Senate premises until he purges himself of contempt or a case is filed against him in the DOJ or Ombudsman.

Gordon said that majority of the members of the committee signified their consent on Bolante's release during the panel's caucus.

Senate Sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia, Jr. has been tasked by the committee to gather the signatures of the senators who had signified their agreement to release Bolante.

Gordon however explained that Bolante's release does not mean that he is now cleared from his contemptuous acts of falsely and evasively testifying before this committee and and much less that the Senate would stop pursuing the truth behind the fertilizer fund mess.

"This does not mean, however, that he is now cleared from his previous acts of falsely and evasively testifying before this Chamber and disobeying legitimate summons issued during the 13th Congress," he said.

Gordon also pointed out that no individual should be allowed to hamper, with false testimonies and evasive answers, the Senate from doing its Constitutional mandate of duly conducting the affairs of the government.

"No individual should be permitted to obstruct the official proceedings in the Senate by testifying falsely and evasively and disobeying our summons. We are therefore sending a strong message not only to Bolante but also to those who are called to appear to the Senate hearings," he said.

"The Senate is a co-equal branch of the government and is therefore vested with oversight powers to address loopholes in the government's procurement projects, to check excesses of the government, and to hold accountable those entrusted to protect and safeguard the public interest," he added.

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