FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

We believe that the official documents, together with the testimony of Santiago
and the statement of OWWA Trustee Carsola, sufficiently demonstrate the connivance
that made possible the huge plunder of OWWA public funds. And we find it
unforgiveable that while our OFWs are hailed as “heroes,” and rightfully so as they
keep the country afloat with earnings squeezed from their sweat and tears, President
Arroyo and Secretary Duque made of them the most pitiful of victims as their earnings
were siphoned off, away from their needs, and diverted instead to the cause of
electioneering.
B. The use of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani
fertilizer funds for electioneering purposes
in favor of President Arroyo in the 2004 elections
Atty. Francisco Chavez, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Secretary-General
Danilo Ramos, Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, and Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano testified before the
CCTA to affirm, for the most part on the basis of public documents, the particulars of
how billions in Ginintuang Masaganang Ani public funds intended for the benefit of
farmers, by way of fertilizers and other farm inputs, had likewise been plundered and
utilized to bankroll President Arroyo’s campaign during the 2004 elections through
allied Congressmen, governors and mayors.
Atty. Chavez and Mr. Ramos also testified before the joint hearings of the
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and on Accountability of Public Officers
and Investigations (Blue Ribbon), together with many other witnesses from both the
public and private business and agriculture sectors, including the Commission on
Audit (“COA”), Department of Budget and Management (“DBM”), and Department of
Agriculture (“DA”). Several provided crucial official documents. The Senate
Committee Report No. 54 resulting from the legislative inquiry succinctly summarizes
the breadth and depth of this particular exercise in electoral corruption utilized just
immediately before the 2004 presidential contest.
We quote the most telling excerpts 63 :
“The Committees on Agriculture and Food and Accountability of Public
Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) have conducted an inquiry, in
aid of legislation, into P. S. Resolution 327 by Senator Magsaysay, Jr.
Six (6) public hearings and a series of dialogues with farmer
organizations have been conducted. A substantial number of witnesses
appeared, braving the threats on their lives … [For the hearing of]
December 12, 2005 … Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante was invited as
lone resource person but he fled the same morning for the United
States of America, evading the Senate hearing …”
xxx xxx xxx
63
footnotes omitted
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