The Truth Encased (topic: Fertilizer Fund Scam)

THE TRUTH ENCASED

A man who hides nothing need not hide himself from the public... Distinguished guests of today’s affair, my fellow students, educators, visitors ladies and gentlemen a pleasant morning to one and all. A controversial issue plagued the nation since the last presidential poll concerning ample amount of the nation’s money and some public officials. While the masses suffer tremendous effects of poverty, some are benefited of the rampant graft and corruption in our country. The fertilizer fund scam we usually hear on radios and watch on television had been very controversial these past months or years so to speak. The former Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante was alleged to be the one who architected the said scam. He then fled to United States to seek protection and was later deported as mandated by the Supreme Court of the Land. The said fertilizer fund scam was allegedly used in vote buying in favor of the Prseident Elect Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Some public officials who were then with them in engineering the scam betrayed the latter to the public and was later killed as price of her betrayal, the latter was Marlene Esperat, the Agriculture Resident Ombudsman for Central Mindanao. This issue had gone as far as anyone could ever imagine… A perfect example of graft and corruption. A beautifully choreographed betrayal of the Filipino nation led

about by those we thought would fight for the right of every citizen, the oppressed and the needy. Frustrating as it is… up to now that the 2010 election is approaching, there is yet no clear solution to the problem. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee up to now hasn’t come to a definite end to the controversy. When Bolante came back to the Philippines, he was brought immmediately to St. Lukes Medical Center where initially he was admitted due to peptic ulcer and later on diagnosed to have obstructive sleep apnea, fluctuating blood pressure and occasional discomforts…. Is this a cover up? Isn’t he diverting his appearance in the Senate Inquiry? Was he really sick? Or he was only faking it? If Mr Bolante has nothing to hide, he could freely come out in the open. Why has Malacañang remained quiet about it? The president could persuade the latter to testify in court that the said scam was just a make up story to destroy her image and for the people to question his presidency. Why is that Mr. Bolante continously file motions for him not to testify in the Senate Inquiry? Why the need to hide? Why the need to be deaf and mute with all the controversies concerning him? Ladies and gentelemen, its about time we question ourselves? What is happening to our justice system? What will happen to the masses? What will our children’s future be like if this situation will continuously prevail? Where will it take us? Its about time we do something. Its about time we end up our being deaf and mute with all the things that are happening around us. Its about time we make a move to uplift our own country, its about time Juan dela Cruz should stand up for what he believes in.

This is not about going to the streets, carrying plackards and picketing…. Its about sincere and consientious election. 2010 polls is fast approaching and soon a new president will rule the land, we have to be wise enough in choosing whom to vote…. A single vote counts. A single Filipino Citizen has a rule in reforming the land. Deprresing as it may seem today, let us not lose hope… Let us start now….