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Lawmakers in fertilizer scam submit affidavits to Ombudsman

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/21/2008 2:38 PM

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Two members of the House of Representatives named as among the recipients of P728 million in fertilizer funds submitted counter-affidavits Friday before the Office of the Ombudsman to belie the accusations against them.

Quezon City Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza said she requested for farm implements when she learned that the Department of Agriculture had available funds for them.

She said that she planned on allocating the funds to purchase a shredding machine for the Payatas dumpsite in her constituency.

Apart from the request for funds for a shredding machine, Daza said she had no other participation or knowledge of the fund allocation.

Marinduque Rep. Carmencita Reyes, meanwhile, said she asked for funds when she was told that part of the program involved converting agricultural waste into organic fertilizer.

She clarified that she received a donation from the agriculture department. She added that she saw nothing wrong with the transaction since local funds were not used in the allocation.

Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus, meanwhile, said they are still waiting for the counter-affidavits of the others, including former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Jocjoc' Bolante.

De Jesus said those named by Bolante as recipients of the funds could have mailed their counter-affidavits and if this is the case, the mailing date will be considered the date of filing. De Jesus said if the rest fail to submit their counter-affidavits, it will be considered that they have waived their right to respond.

He said the Ombudsman intends to finish the probe by January. With a report from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News

as of 11/21/2008 2:38 PM