Bolante files counter-affidavit before Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante on Friday filed a counter-affidavit in response to the Office of the Ombudsman's investigation on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. A GMA Flash Report said one of Bolante's lawyers, Alexis Abastillas, filed the counter-affidavit before the Ombudsman. The original deadline for the document was November 8, but Bolante's camp sought an extension, said the report. Bolante is the alleged architect of the so-called scam, wherein fertilizer funds were allegedly diverted to the campaign kitty of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004. Bolante has repeatedly denied in Senate and House hearings that there irregularities in the fertilizer fund program saying most of the funds are accounted for, and has likewise cleared President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of any involvement in the project. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV