Jocelyn Bolante
Encyclopedia
Jocelyn "Jocjoc" Bolante (born August 27, 1951) is a Filipino
politician who formerly served as an Undersecretary
of the Department of Agriculture
of the Philippines
. He was implicated by the Philippine Senate to the ongoing investigation related to corruption concerning fertilizer funding
while serving as a government official. Bolante left the Philippines on December 11, 2005. He returned to the Philippines on October 28, 2008 after being detained at an immigration office in the United States. The corruption related to fertilizer funds was exposed when news broke that a Filipino journalist, Marlene Garcia-Esperat
(who was from Tacurong City
, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines), was killed on March 24, 2005.
, Bolante was born to parents Vicente Bolante, Sr. (deceased) and Salvacion Isada (deceased). He has three siblings, namely Vicente Jr., Anabelle and Cecilia.
as Undersecretary of Agriculture for Finance and Administration in 2001. He served in this capacity for almost three years. He resigned on September 6, 2004.
Bolante ran unsuccessfully for governor of his home province of Capiz
in the 2010 general elections
under the local party, Ugyon Kita Capiz (Unite Capiz), when he was defeated by incumbent governor Victor A. Tanco. Later on, the said party endorsed the Nacionalista Party
and supported presidential candidate Senator Manny Villar
and his running mate Senator Loren Legarda
.
which amounts to P728 million. Based on his statements, the fund was "taken from" the Department of Agriculture's "2003 budget and distributed to local government officials (105 congressmen, 53 governors, 23 mayors) as project proponents two weeks before the 2004 elections, and was believed to have been diverted to the campaign pot of President Gloria Arroyo."
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
politician who formerly served as an Undersecretary
Undersecretary
An under secretary is an executive government official in many countries, frequently a career public servant, who typically acts as a senior administrator or second-in-command to a politically-appointed Cabinet Minister or other government official...
of the Department of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of Agriculture , abbreviated as DA, is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for boosting the income of farmers as well as reducing the incidence of poverty in the rural sector, as stipulated inthe Government's Medium Term Philippine...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He was implicated by the Philippine Senate to the ongoing investigation related to corruption concerning fertilizer funding
Fertilizer Fund Scam
The Fertilizer Fund Scam is a Philippine political controversy involving accusations that Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante diverted P728 million in fertilizer funds to the 2004 election campaign of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.-Details:...
while serving as a government official. Bolante left the Philippines on December 11, 2005. He returned to the Philippines on October 28, 2008 after being detained at an immigration office in the United States. The corruption related to fertilizer funds was exposed when news broke that a Filipino journalist, Marlene Garcia-Esperat
Marlene Garcia-Esperat
Marlene Garcia-Esperat was a Filipina whistleblower and investigative journalist who wrote a weekly anti-graft column for local newspapers. As a result of her anti-corruption work, she was murdered in her own home...
(who was from Tacurong City
Tacurong City
Tacurong City is a 4th class city in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 82,546. Tacurong now has a total land area of 15,340 hectares, the smallest in land area among the 12 municipalities that compose the new province of Sultan...
, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines), was killed on March 24, 2005.
Personal profile
A native of Dao, CapizCapiz
Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
, Bolante was born to parents Vicente Bolante, Sr. (deceased) and Salvacion Isada (deceased). He has three siblings, namely Vicente Jr., Anabelle and Cecilia.
Political career
Bolante was appointed by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
as Undersecretary of Agriculture for Finance and Administration in 2001. He served in this capacity for almost three years. He resigned on September 6, 2004.
Bolante ran unsuccessfully for governor of his home province of Capiz
Capiz
Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
in the 2010 general elections
Philippine general election, 2010
Elections for all positions in the Philippines above the barangay were held on Monday, May 10, 2010. The elected president will become the 15th President of the Philippines, succeeding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term restrictions...
under the local party, Ugyon Kita Capiz (Unite Capiz), when he was defeated by incumbent governor Victor A. Tanco. Later on, the said party endorsed the Nacionalista Party
Nacionalista Party
The Nacionalista Party is the oldest political party in the Philippines today and was responsible for leading the country throughout the majority of the 20th century since its founding in 1907...
and supported presidential candidate Senator Manny Villar
Manny Villar
Manuel "Manny" Bamba Villar, Jr. is a Filipino businessman and politician. He is currently a Philippine Senator, president of the Nacionalista Party...
and his running mate Senator Loren Legarda
Loren Legarda
Loren Legarda is a Filipino broadcast journalist, environmentalist, and politician of Visayan ancestry, notable as the only female to top two senatorial elections . During the 2004 Philippine general election, she ran for the position of Vice-President as an Independent with Fernando Poe, Jr...
.
Corruption case
Bolante was implicated by the Philippine Senate to a fertilizer fund scamFertilizer Fund Scam
The Fertilizer Fund Scam is a Philippine political controversy involving accusations that Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante diverted P728 million in fertilizer funds to the 2004 election campaign of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.-Details:...
which amounts to P728 million. Based on his statements, the fund was "taken from" the Department of Agriculture's "2003 budget and distributed to local government officials (105 congressmen, 53 governors, 23 mayors) as project proponents two weeks before the 2004 elections, and was believed to have been diverted to the campaign pot of President Gloria Arroyo."
External links
- Photograph of Jocelyn Bolante from Capiznon.wordpress.com