Senate subpoenas all executives of agricultural foundation in fertilizer scam

The Senate summoned yesterday executives of an agricultural foundation that allegedly acted as proponent in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam in 2004.

Sen. Richard Gordon, Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman, said he has subpoenaed Joselito F. Flordeliza, National Organization for Agricultural Enhancement and Productivity, Inc. president; and Gilbert S. Coronel, Jose M. Lautchang, Harry A. Napao and Anastacio Delmo, members of the board of trustees.

“We will subpoena all the members of the foundation’s board of trustees listed in its articles of incorporation,” he said.

The Senate investigation showed that Marites Aytona, alleged runner in the fertilizer fund scam, was engaged as a consultant for the foundation.

Jaime Paule had engaged her services for the foundation, Aytona said.

Gordon said Paule’s counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, assured him that his client would attend the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing on Jan. 20 next year.

“I have no reason to doubt that,” he said. “And they promised to submit a formal statement before the hearing.

“But just the same, I took the addresses of his children, as well as all of his addresses and telephone numbers so we will know where to find him should he not show up. If he will not show up then he will be in really big trouble.”

Paule was accompanied by his lawyer when he went to the Senate Tuesday to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the Senate committee.

Senate investigations have established that Paule was the link to the other witnesses, starting with his meeting with former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, the alleged mastermind of the anomaly.

It was established that Paule named the foundation, which served as proponent for the Department of Agriculture project, and hired Aytona as consultant.

He was also tagged as the one who talked Leonicia Llarena into providing the checks that were used as goodwill money for the project. – Christina Mendez