New witnesses to appear in Bolante hearing today

New witnesses are expected to appear at the resumption of the hearing on the fertilizer fund scam before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee today.

Former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, who has been released from Senate custody, is also expected to appear in today’s hearing.

Sen. Richard Gordon, Blue Ribbon committee chairman, said Agriculture Undersecretary Belinda Gonzales would show up along with Maritess Aytona, the alleged runner of Bolante and Leonicia Marco-Llarena, the alleged financier of the fertilizers.

Gonzales is afraid to implicate Osmeña Montañer, the DA’s finance officer in southern Mindanao, in the killing of journalist Marlene Esperat, who first exposed the fertilizer scam, he added.

Montañer, along with Estrella Sabay, DA regional accountant, had been identified as one of the masterminds behind the killing of Esperat in 2005.

Gordon said Gonzales is afraid to name names in the fertilizer fund scam for fear of reprisal.

“That’s how grave it is,” he said.

“The person who killed Esperat is reportedly most feared that is why she is afraid to even mention that person’s name.

“They are afraid to face him because he might get back at them, especially when victims were known to have been shot in eyes and the face.”

Gordon said he does not understand why an undersecretary would kowtow to people linked to Esperat’s murder.

“That is why the case of the DA must move,” he said. “They have that kind of atmosphere that they are helpless.”

Gordon said Esperat filed a lot of cases against Montañer, who reportedly would not allow lump sum appropriations to reach Soccsksargen Region directly but through Davao Region so he could get hold of the funds.