BELATED RAPS VS AGRI OFFICIALS WON'T GET MERCI OFF THE HOOK

The "late" filing of charges against two former Department of Agriculture officials linked to the P728-million fertilizer fund scam may not be enough to convince senator-judges to get impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez off the hook.

Sen. Miriam Santiago said the filing of plunder charges against former DA Secretary Luis Lorenzo and former Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante cannot be considered a defense, while Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said it only raises more questions.

“Hindi (iyan) dahilan para ipabalewala o drop ang kaso... It is not a defense," Santiago said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the timing of the charges against Lorenzo and Bolante “will generate a lot of questions." 

But when asked if the late filing of the charges will diminish the case against Gutierrez, Enrile said, “Hindi naman [It will not]."

“Maraming questions ang lalabas diyan sa pangyayaring yan [With this development there will be many questions that will come out]," he said.



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