The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) supports the new graft case filed by Marilyn Esperat against incoming Department of Agriculture Sec. Arthur C. Yap and Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, the alleged runner of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group “ we appreciate and support Ms.Esperat’s complaint because it reinforces the case that we filed last May against Sec. Lorenzo and Bolante of the DA. We hope that this would also expedite our case because the Ombudsman seems to have slept on it,”

As can be remembered, the KMP and Atty. Frank Chavez filed a P1-B plunder case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, DA secretary Luisito Lorenzo and Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante earlier this year regarding the misuse of the agricultural fund.

“Yap and Bolante should explain and account for the funds questioned immediately. Why was it juggled and is this a normal acrobatic stunt in the department?  In the meantime Yap’s appointment should be frozen and Bolante should be placed on preventive suspension so as not to influence the outcome of the investigation to be done by the Ombudsman,” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer said “we are also calling upon Congress particularly our representatives from Anakpawis to also conduct their own congressional inquiry on the matter with the participation of people’s organizations,”

“This would ensure that there is something being done about the case and the results would be immediately be known to the public to have maximum transparency,” Ala ended. # # # 
 

KMP - 29 July 2004