Pia defends brother Alan over re-opening of fertilizer fund scam

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday came to the rescue of her brother and fellow senator Alan Peter Cayetano who is facing criticisms from at least three senators opposed to the re-opening of the Senate probe on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. A report over radio dzBB quoted Cayetano as saying that Sen. Edgardo Angara, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Joker Arroyo seem to be acting like the lawyers of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, the alleged architect of the fertilizer fund scam. Alan Peter Cayetano chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon committee which is set to re-open the investigation into the scandal next week. On Monday, Arroyo, who headed the Blue Ribbon committee in the 13th Congress, asserted that the arrest order for Bolante issued in December 12, 2005, is no longer valid. Angara and Zubiri had earlier made the same statements. Bolante, who returned to the country Tuesday, allegedly diverted funds for fertilizer to the campaign kitty of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV