The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) challenged newly appointed Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to make the P728 million fertilizer scam case the first of her priorities. 

According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of KMP, “we filed plunder charges against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Luisito Lorenzo and former DA Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, on June 4, 2004, that was 17 months ago and up until now there has been no update on the case,”

“We farmers have been deprived of support due us, which caused our country 2 weeks worth of rice consumption, but nothing has been done about it. The primary accused is still enjoying her position while still robbing the populace blind, while her lieutenants at the DA then continue to be untouchables and have snubbed all inquiries regarding the case,” added the peasant leader.

“Our hope and challenge to Ms. Gutierrez is to immediately bring justice to farmers by acting swiftly on this case, we have suffered long enough. We know that those involved in this case are also close to First Gentleman Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and Gloria herself, because of this we will see if Ms. Gutierrez is really up to the task,” said Ka Willy Marbella, internal deputy secretary general of KMP.

“The DA has long been used as a milking cow by the administration, using the plight of farmers to get more taxpayer’s money to line their pockets. This has to be stopped and we are watching Ms. Gutierrez every step of the way,” ended Marbella. # # #
 

KMP - 1 December 2005