Despite his brothers P20 million contribution to Aquino campaign
by Lynda Jumilla
ABS-CBN
Just days after President Aquino ordered an investigation into corruption allegations by a still-to-be-created “truth commission,” former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo was spotted last Saturday night at a party of Aquino-Binay supporters.
Like his Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, who was tagged by the Senate as the architect of the fertilizer scam, Lorenzo left the country sometime in 2006 to avoid having to testify in the Senate investigation and has since returned.
Two sources who were present at the Saturday night party told ABS-CBN News Lorenzo had a brief opportunity to talk with Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
With Lorenzo’s return comes this challenge from those who filed complaints on the fertilizer scam, such as Atty. Harry Roque Jr., chair of CenterLaw Philippines.
“Siguro ang pinakamalaking tulong na magagawa niya ay isiwalat ang nalalaman niya sa fertilizer scam. Pangalawa, kinakailangang niyang linisin ang kanyang pangalan dahil nakasaad pa rin sa Senate report na isa siya sa mga nakinabang dito sa fertilizer scam, at isa rin siya sa mga lumabag sa ating mga batas,” Roque said.
Senate recommends plunder vs Lorenzo
In his 2007 report, which was adopted by the Senate, then agriculture committee chair Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said Lorenzo was among the signatories of the anomalous transaction.
“In the case of Secretary Lorenzo…the fact remains that he was aware of the program and acted a co-signatory of the transaction,” the report states. “They must be charged for violating the law on plunder and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”
The Senate recommended that Lorenzo be charged for plunder and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, but the Ombudsman up to now has not acted on the Senate recommendation or on the complaint filed by various groups.
Lorenzos donated P20-M to Aquino
Roque hopes the government will hold Lorenzo accountable for his alleged role in the fertilizer scam, notwithstanding the fact that Lorenzo’s brother, Martin, was a major contributor to President Aquino’s campaign.
“Ito’y nang hindi naman isipin ng ating mga mamamayan na palibhasa nagbigay ang kapatid niya ng P20 million, ay tuluyan nang nawalan ng pananagutan itong si Cito Lorenzo,” Roque said.
ABS-CBN News tried to contact Lorenzo through people close to him to no avail.
Meanwhile, Malacañang welcomes Lorenzo’s return and hopes he would shed light on the fertilizer scam if and when asked by the “truth commission.”
“We welcome Mr. Lorenzo’s return and hope he can shed light on the fertilizer scam, if and when asked to give testimony to the truth commission,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a text message.
P20M donation to Aquino gives Cito Lorenzo the right to mingle with the new president and his confidante inner circle. Let’s see if he’d tell the truth behind Jocjoc’s P728 million fertilizer scam. I hope the huge donation does not intend to buy clearance of his name from being a signatory of the transaction. Let’s see…
saan kaya galing ang P20 million na donation nya?
Sa isang maikling pananaw, siguro, magiging “redemptive or bangon puri”, sa ” Truth Commssion ” ni ex-CJ-Davide, kung sasampulan niya ng buong liwanag ( transparency ) ang Fertilizer and NBN-ZTE scam respectively.Kung maibuyag-yag niya ng buong linaw ( kahit na di mabilango siguro ang mga sangkot na magnanakaw )sa pinak-“bossing” ng Pangulong P-NOY, liliit ang tindi ng galit nila / namin. Ang hina-hanap lamang dito, ay HONESTY o transparency sa buong bayan. Masimulan lang ang “scams Issues ” na ito ( isunod na lang ang mungkahi ng Cardinal Rosales, about FVR and others admin )at maituwid ng husto ang mga balukto’t na kasakiman noon, makakahinga ng maluwag si Juan de la Cruz.
Masasabi talaga ng buong bayan ( masa ), may-pag-asa pang
maging tunay na Pilipino,at buhay na buhay sa Pilipinas ang
tunay na demokrasya, isa itong ” small step to a giant
leap of progress-development ” sa bansa. Sabi nga, ang salapi, ay nakukuha o natatagpuan, ngunit ang pag-kaTAO,ay
mahirap matagpuan, lalo na ang mabubuti at malinis na pag-lilingkod-pag-mamahal sa kapwa. Si P-Noy (presidente )
ay may mga kata-ngian ng kabutihan at malinis na hangarin
sa kapwa, sana naman, maging modelo siya ng mga TAONG naka-paligid sa kanya ( lalo na sa tunay na pag-babago or
for change, para naman mabuhay ang pag-asa ( hope )ng mga
susunod na henerasyon.
I hope this administration will have the balls to go to the bottom of the scam and take Mr Lorenzo to task.
saan kaya galing ang P20 million na donation nya?- Reyna Elena
Reynz, the Lorenzos are a rich family. They own Lapanday, which is into food production.
But people in the DA says he was not also clean. it simply shows there is no limit to a person’s greed.
the whole nation is watching the Truth Commission and DOJ closely…….
Noynoy’s parent died for their country, Pres. Noynoy must LIVE for his country by going after corrupt officials starting with gma , joc joc bolante, garcillano, nicodemus ferrer,ampatuan clans, etc…..
Kung tunay ang adhikain ni Pnoy na lilinisan niya ang corruption sa Pilipinas, this Lorenzo should not be spared. If he is guilty of any crime, he should be convicted.
hindi ba may plantation ang mga Lorenzo sa Malaybalay? bale wala lang ang 20 million para sa kanila…they may not have been kosher in all their dealings pero hindi naman seguro totally nakaw ang pera nila…
chi, Dagdag ko sa sagot ni Ellen, the Lorenzos started out with the patriarch Chitong Lorenzo, a basketball star during my Dad’s days, landing a top level position at Del Monte Phils. who bought out the Ayala and Aboitiz shares in Lapanday Agri & Dev. Corp. which was to become the family’s crown jewel. They later bought Pepsi-Cola and US industrial importer, Macondray. Presently, the family holding firm also owns power generating facilities, real estate development (the Lorenzos own huge land holdings in Lanao and Bukidnon) including downline industries of Lapanday. Makwarta talaga. Old rich.
rose, nasa Malaybalay, Bukidnon ang plantation ng Del Monte.
Florry mistaken posted this in another thread:
florry – July 7, 2010 10:30 am
There’s something fishy with the proposal to extend the scope of the Truth Commission to include past admins of FVR and Erap. The anger over the appointment of Davide hasn’t even subsided yet and here comes another shocker. The question is who will get top billing in the investigation? It can’t be done in one time for the three of them.The natural order would be Ramos on top of the list followed by Erap and finally Gloria.
During the campaign Noynoy never mention about these things. His campaign song is to prosecute and get Gloria answer for all her sins. That’s what the people loved to hear. FVR and Erap were out of the picture then although he mentioned Marcos. Now Marcos is out, a deliberate and tactical move because if he will take up Marcos, he can’t jump over her mother Cory. It seems now that there’s a change of tune in his song.
Investigating FVR will not take just a week, a month or a year. It will eat up a few years before any conviction. Same is true with Erap. And before everyone wake up to there senses, Aquino’s time is up, Gloria is a free woman, no investigation and no jail for her.
One can’t avoid speculating and suspecting that something is in the works to let Gloria off the hook. A little analysis of what’s going on is enough to draw such conclusion. The picture is becoming brighter and clearer by the day.
First is the Davide connection; followed up by a Rosales idea or suggestion to include past admins, both known to be very close ally of Gloria.
What can we expect from Davide in his role against his erstwhile boss to whom he handed the still occupied presidency and from whom he got so much? What about Rosales’ favorite line on separation of church and state? Gone with Gloria?
Maybe being true to the Filipino tradition of utang na loob, they just want to give something back for all the good things they got from Gloria.
I just wonder if Noynoy is not far behind.
Tongue, Rose, I think the Lorenzos fortunes are also dwindling affected by global economic problems (is it recession?).
But they are still rich.
Truth Commission and DOJ must publish a weekly progress report to the people……
this is the most important issue of P.Noy’s campaign, the fight against corruption!
media could interview Hilario Davide so that he could air his views about his plans and directions for the Truth Commission, the fight against corruption is on the shoulders of Leila de Lima and Hilario, focus is on them
Sa # 12 na post ni Florry—There’s something fishy with the proposal to extend the scope of the Truth Commission to include past admins of FVR and Erap.
——————————————————-
May tama ka.Bakit pa pag-aksayahan ng panahon iyan.Dito na lang mag-concentrate sa sinundang administration ni P.Noy.Kargo ni Erap iyung pag-iimbistiga kay FVR.Kargo naman ni Aling Gloria ang pagprosecute kay Erap at kargo naman ni P.Noy ang pag-iimbistiga kay Aling Gloria.
Investigation and prosecution of Aling Gloria’s corrupt practice and sins to Filipino people is a necessity, not a choice.There is no longer any doubt as to whether Aling Gloria and her kasama has committed crimes. The only question that remains to be answered is whether those who ordered to investigate will be held to account.
Yes, we need to know the whole truth. We already know something about how Aling Gloria broke the law, failed to carry out its duties, and abused its power, but we need to know the full extent of its violations of the nation’s trust so that both those responsible can be punished appropriately and our institutions can be reformed to prevent a re occurrence of their failures.
However, If Cardinal Rosales suggested that all past president will be investigated it would set a dangerous precedent.Baka pag naging President si Baby James ipaimbistigahan uli kung sino ang utak sa pagpatay kay Lolo niya Ninoy. Iyun na lang sinundan nilang presidente ang paimbistigahan nila.
Pag palampasin ni P.Noy ang mga katiwalian ng sinundan niyang administration sigurado hindi na mahahabol ang mga kawatang iyan.P.Noy need to get to the truth in order for our country to acknowledge the past mistakes and begin healing.Let’s not waste anymore of my tax money investigating FVR and Erap that this will only lead to a cycle of political gotcha. Too many problems await. Davide get to work.
Marami ng mga Tongressman ang umaalma dahil tatapyasan na ang mga porky nila ng mahigit kalahati. Papano na raw ang mga scholarships program nila.Madali naman solusyunan iyang scholarship kung gusto ng mga Tongressman na tumulong, bakit hindi na lang nila ilagak sa pondo ng Student’s loan at Student Financial Aids.Study now Pay Later pag tapos na silang mag-aral at magbabayad na sila ng loan nila pag may trabaho na.Sa America marami ang nakakapag aral sa colleges and Universities dahil may mga student’s loan silang binabayaran.Kung gusto mong malaki ang utang mo pagnakatapos ka ng mag-aral,mangarera ka ng doctor. Iyun naman binabayad nilang student’s loan uutangin naman ng mga susunod na henerasyon sa kanilang pag-aaral kaya karamihan sa America ay nakakapag-aral at hindi na nuubusan ng pondo para sa student loan.May pondo pa nga sa mga tatang ager na kung gusto nilang magbalik college at mag-aral muli ay may grant sila ng $5,000 at iyun ay hindi na babayaran.
Kung ganyan ang gagawin ng mga Tongressman natin,siguradong makakapag-college ang karamihang Filipino na mahihirap,iyung mga bobo at tanga lang siguro ang hindi dahil tinitignan din ang grades at finacial capacity bago makakuha ng scholarship grants.
Baka ang Davide Truth Commission gusto pang imbestigahan kung sino-sino ang pumatay kay Andres Bonifacio. Tila lumalabo at walang direction. Unahin si Gloria. Tiyakin makulong siya.
cutting pork barrel by more than half is a good move against corruption
Chito Lorenzo was the DA secretary who, according to news received a very hypocritical salary of P1.00 during his stint, meaning mayaman nga.
Pero malinis?
Ewan.
PareCoy,
Madaling sabihin ang suhestiyon mo. Subalit sa pagkatao at motibo ng mga mambubutas na ‘yan, bihira sa kanila ang pinatatawad ang usapin lalo’t sangkot ay salapi, kuwarta, pera.
Patay nang malaon ang mga mambabatas nating malilinis ang kunsensiya. Pinalitan na sila ng mga negosyanteng nag-aanyong pulitiko.
Pareng Mags,
Kapag inalis na ng tuluyan ni P.Noy ang mga Pork barrel ng mga Tongressman at mga Senatong palagay ko makakapili na tayo ng karapat-dapat na maupo para magsilbi dahil itong mga mambabatas sa ngayon ay hindi na kakandidatong muli kung wala silang pork.Biruin mo ang mga ibang mambabatas ay nakakaihi na sa pantalon sa katandaan ay ayaw pang magretiro.Lagi na lang the same pareho ang mga mukha,ang naiiba lang sa kanila ay ang dumadaming mga piligis sa kanilang mukha.
Suma tutal pa nito baka pagkaisahan nila si P.Noy at iimpeach dahil wala na silang mga alagang matabang baboy.
#21
Piso nga ang sweldo niya,bilyon naman ang nawala na parang bula,iyung tubig ginawang pataba.
Piso kasi ang sweldo, halagang piso rin ang serbisyo.
Narito ang professional exposure ni Cito Lorenzo:
http://www.supr.aim.edu.ph/lorenzo/text/exhibit1.htm
Wala na silangalagang matabang baboy? O, sila ang ating patabaing baboy?
PareCoy, oras na upang ipamukha sa mga kotongreasemen na ‘yan na hinalal sila sa Batasang Pambansa upang kumatawan sa kanilang mga nasasakupan, magbalangkas ng batas at umisip ng mga proyektong para sa kagalingan ng bawat isang mamamayan at hindi ‘yung magtatrabaho lamang kung merong daang milyong pisong pork barrel.
Kung salapi ang pangunahing puntirya nila sa pagpalaot sa pulitika, bago na ang pamunuan, kalimutan na nila ang ganid na hangarin at ambisyong magpayaman gamit ang salaping galing sa kaban.
They should be in business private practice not in the government service. These leeches would only thrive if we will just sit and watch them loot the coffers.
Truth Commission must be headed by someone with impeccable integrity , untainted credibility, proven competence and courage. Hilario davide fails miserably to meet all this criteria. one is reminded of Randy David, who betrayed and disappointed people’s expectation by running away from congressional contest against gma in pampanga.
Siguro panahon na upang ang tatlong sangay ng pamahalaan ay magkaroon ng independence sa bawat isa, as part of a move on policy ng bagong administrasyon. Walang pakialaman subalit magtutulungan para sa tunay na serbisyong bayan.
Dapat na ring putulin ang political partonage at affiliation sa dalawang kapulungan ng konggreso. Tapos na ang halalan kaya ang dapat nilang pagtuunan ng katapatan ay ang taong bayan at hindi ang kanikanilang partido.
Tama lang na merong maka-administrasyon upang magkaroon ng check and balance subalit kung laging pagpipikitan ng mata ang kapalpakan ng kinakatigan, aba’y ibang usapan na ‘yan.
Para ding hindi nawala ang dati nating “hinaharanang” mutya ng demonyong si gloria arrovo.
Tama lang na merong maka-administrasyon at oposisyon …..
Tongue: thanks for confirming re-the Plantation of the Lorenzo’s. ang alam ko ang Tatay niya ay isang sikat na basketball player ng Ateneo pero at that time sa SAn Beda ako kampi. Noong ako ay nagtrabajo sa St. Joseph’s School for the Blind may apat na mga madre na dumating (Irish) na galing sa Malaybalay after 16 years..at nakilala ko si Sister Eucharista (the Superior) at sa kanya ko narinig ang mga gawang gawa ng mga Lorenzos..sa kanila pinagtiwala ang escuelahan ng plantation. To thank Sr. Eucharista & Co. ang mga students niya dati..binauwi nila si Sister (all expenses paid)in 1979..at pag tinanong may Sister kung nagasaan siya sa Phil. ang sagot niya ay Malaybalay, Bukidnon. saan galing ang kanilang yaman? kayo na ang sumagot!
Lorenzo will testify? Either of two scenarios will occur.
His testimony may stop short of the Pig, katulad nung findings of the Agrava Commission, which did not implicate Fabian Ver.
or
He will suffer the fate of the Maguindanao witness (Jessie).
corr: I meant kawang gawa..sorry..bisaya ako! tuwing dinadla ko si Sister sa mga events like the PAGCOM at ang mga kinakanta ng mga kabataan sa stage ang tanong niys sa akin..bakit daw mga rap music at tinutugtog? it is a Phil. event..dapat daw ay ang mga magagandang kanta natin..I am pretty sure kung narinig ni Sr. ang pagbabago ng ilan sa mga singers natin sa pagkanta ng national anthem bumangon sa kanyang grave. Mahal na mahal niya ang Malaybalay..
sax: hndi naman seguro…I am hopeful (you can say I am just a cockeyed optimist) that the truth will come out…hahanapin ko yong albularyo na taga Antique na namention sa Rosalka…kasi yong albularyo na iyon may langis na nagpaganda kay Rosalka…seguro ang taong ito ay may truth serum…sa binukid ng Sibalom at San Remegio marami ang mga ati..
ang sabi nga..justice is not judgment…justice is truth!
atty sax, bet ko yung first scenario.
From ABS-CBN:
Former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. on Thursday said former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo is as guilty as Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante,
In his 2007 report, which was adopted by the Senate, Magsaysay said Lorenzo was among the signatories in the anomalous transaction.
“In the case of Secretary Lorenzo…the fact remains that he was aware of the program and acted a co-signatory of the transaction,” the report states. ”
On the other hand.Cito Lorenzo cited the report of the Committee headed by Sen. Richard Gordon who also investigated teh scandal and concluded the moeny didn’t pass through.
This is a naughty thought:
Cito’s brother donated P20 million to Aquino’s campaign.
Did the Lorenzo family also donated to Gordon?
Lorenzo charged with malversation by Merceditas.
Out-manuevered na naman si Noy. That is the problem with telegraphing ones moves.
The charge is bailable, so there is no Sword of Damocles of jail time, while the case is pending, which could push Lorenzo to cooperate, and spill the beans on the bi7ch.
Wala pang conspiracy charge so demanda, so madaling madepensahan. Lorenzo can say he relied on Bolante, so walang intent. Bolante can say he relied on the regional directors, so wala pa ring intent.
Bottom line, the small fry get to do jail time, while the big fish end up snickering all the way to the bank. Walang pinagkaiba kay Scooter Libby and his boss, Cheney the Dick.
So far, mahina ang payo ng mga abogado kay Noy. Si Macoy, pulido ang paggawa ng batas – erudite si Estelito Mendoza. Erap had Justice Cuevas – mahusay din. The Glue, sneaky ang legal advice, pero effective pa rin.
So Harry Roque is correct that it should have been plunder?
And that Gloria Arroyo should have been included.
atitiway,
Siyempre, bakit nga naman itsa-charge ng mabigay si Cito Lorenzo, eh magkakampi ata sila ni merciless Mercy. Pareho silang aso ni gloria kaya magdidilaan sila ng balahibo.
Siyempre, bakit nga naman itsa-charge ng MABIGAT si Cito Lorenzo……