Noynoy: RP to make it to Guinness if Bolante wins as Capiz governor

ROXAS CITY, Capiz , Philippines  – Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said yesterday the Philippines would make it to the Guinness Book of World Records if the alleged chief architect of the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, would become this province’s governor.

Aquino and his running mate, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, who hails from here, said Bolante made this province a battleground clearly between good and evil and that Capizenos must not allow him to win. 

Roxas said a Bolante victory would be a huge embarrassment for every Capizeno and would make the province a laughingstock before the whole world.

He also warned that electing those from the administration and their allies would give them the chance to steal and bury all the records that could be used to convict them for their wrongdoings.

Aquino said it is only in the Philippines where those accused of big-time anomalies and crimes could run for public office and some of them would even emerge victorious.

“My partner (Roxas) clearly said it. This is a contrast between black and white. If the opponent of Vic Tanco wins here, we will make it to Guinness – only in the Philippines. I am proud to be Filipino and I think most Filipinos know right from wrong. So I think here Bolante is hopeless,” he said.

Aquino said the LP is prepared to guard votes, including those in this province, to make sure that LP bets would not be cheated.

“In the same token in Tarlac if there’s going to be special operations, they will really endeavor to do so (to) at the very least minimize my lead over my opponent in Tarlac, and we in Tarlac are prepared for them,” he said.

Aquino and Roxas said fortunately, their internal surveys show that the LP bet against Bolante, re-electionist Gov. Victor Tanco, would win overwhelmingly over the administration’s ally.

Aquino said Tanco could obtain three times more votes than Bolante if there would be no “magic” or cheating and five times more if there would be no special operations against him.

“If I need to go house-to-house to (campaign for Tanco) I will do it but there is no need, his lead is big,” he said.

Aquino said he would make sure that Bolante would face the law in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.

He said it took four years before Bolante was investigated because he flew to the United States when the controversy erupted. But US authorities extradited him after he was arrested and jailed. He sought political asylum but was denied by the US.

If in a worst-case scenario Bolante makes it, Aquino said this would not make him above the law.

“There are many issues that need clarification. Those who have sinned have responsibilities. There should be no ifs, buts, wherefores. If you committed a crime, you should pay the price,” he said.