Monday, September 18 2006 @ 06:56 PM BST

National

Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. on Monday said the Philippine Senate will not enter into any deals and compromises on the case of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Jocjoc" Bolante.

Magsaysay added that the Upper Chamber cannot do anything on the alleged request of Bolante to annul the arrest warrant issued by the Philippine Senate in order that his United States visa be restored.

He allegedly promised to spill the beans on the controversy surrounding the P728 million fertilizer fund scam if his visa is reinstated.

"We cannot do anything…the Feds have their own reasons (for his detention). No compromise, no deal. If he wants to send a letter, if he wants something, we're open. Let him sign it," he added.

Magsaysay noted that once Bolante writes a letter, he will present it to the Senate committee on agriculture and food which he chairs and the Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Joker P. Arroyo.

Bolante evaded the Senate hearings six times from March to October of last year.

He was being pinpointed by the senators as the brains behind the alleged malversation of the P728 million fertilizer fund scam in 2004.

Bolante is now detained in the U.S. after he was apprehended by Immigration authorities.

Bolante's visa was cancelled by the US Embassy in Manila upon the representation of Magsaysay's committee which had issued warrant of arrest against him for repeatedly snubbing the committee's hearing on the fertilizer fund scam.

The US Embassy's action was widely believed to have been in keeping with President George W. Bush's Proclamation 212 which denies haven for kleptocrats.

The case has been kept off the media upon the request of Bolante who invoked his right to privacy.

Bolante said the arrest warrant issued against him by the Philippine Senate is nothing but politically motivated. (PNA)

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