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Update on Bolante

This came out in Philippine Daily Inquirer today. This one is straight from Harry Roque, Jr. :

Two months after Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante was apprehended by Immigration Officials in Los Angeles, the official story behind his arrest can finally be revealed.

In a sworn statement before an officer of the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Bolante revealed that two officers were apparently already waiting for him at the jetway shortly after he arrived last July 7 at the LA airport.

In the affidavit dated July 8, 2006 Bolante was informed by INS Officer Rene Arambulo that his B1B2 visa had been revoked by the American embassy in Manila due to an outstanding warrant of arrest issued by the Senate of the Philippines. Bolante chose to be jailed in the US rather than be deported to Manila.

Arambulo informed Bolante, “You do not have a valid visa to enter the United States and it appears that you are an intending immigrant without a valid immigrant visa. Since you signified fear of being sent back to your home country, you will be set up to see an Immigration Judge regarding your fear or concern and until that time, you will remain in the custody of the Customs and Border Protection Services.”

Asked if he was aware that he was a wanted man in the Philippines, Bolante replied in the negative. The INS agent pointed out that there was in fact an arrest warrant issued by the Philippine Senate but Bolante dismissed it, saying “That is just (a) subpoena to a Senate Committee hearing. It is not an arrest warrant because the court did not issue it. It is politically motivated.”

Asked by Arambulo why he refused to heed the summons, Bolante said “My lawyer said I did not have to submit to the summons. If it was court ordered, yes, I will because it is a non-partisan and unbiased body.”

The affidavit also established that Bolante was in the US from January 2 to June 2, 2006 a full six months which is also the maximum amount of time that a B1B2 visa holder could stay in the US. Asked what he did in the US during that time, Bolante said “I attended the graduation of my son and I had dental implants.”

It was at this time that Bolante was repeatedly summoned by the Senate Committee on Agriculture which was investigating Bolante’s role in the so-called P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

The committee was investigating reports that about P2.8 billion of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program was probably used in the 2004 presidential election, with former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante tagged by the Senate as “architect of the scam.”

This latest confirmation confirms earlier suspicions that Bolante’s visa was cancelled due to Presidential Directive 212 which denies safe haven in the US to “kleptocrats”. This also indicates that the Americans are very keen on the so-called “fertilizer scam” for reasons beyond its latest campaign against kleptocrats. Perhaps, the Americans are fully aware of how their Official Development Assistance under Public Law 480 was commingled and dispensed by Bolante for institutionalized vote buying in the 2004 elections. More importantly, this confirmation could also explain why the President and her party opted not to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in New York despite our election as Vice-chairman of the meeting. To do so may mean incarceration for many in her presidential party as a result of the official policy on kleptocracy.

The message is clear: Filipino kleptocrats, go to Europe instead.

I will be leaving for the US tomorrow at 6:55 AM. I hope to personally argue in the Chicago Immigration court on 13 September against Bolante’s motions to: strike off our amicus brief, for closed door proceedings, and for bail.

For Bolante’s affidavit, click here.

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37 Comments

  1. Unbelievable Ellen! How can the crook say that it is all politics with all evidences of corruption and money lost pointing to him as the culprit.

    Good thing that it’s Magsaysay, an administration Senator who is leading the investigation, so Bolate cannot say that this is entirely just politics with the investigation not being led by the Opposition that is simply supporting the motion of Magsaysay. Ang galing ng palusot! Pinalalabas pang mga bobo at istupido ang kapwa niya mga pilipino!

    Tapos, sasabihin ng mga kampon ni demonyita, blessing ng America ang pagkakahuli ni Bolate! Unbelievable talaga!

    But as far as rules are concern, walang palusot when it comes to implementation sa America. Sino ngayon ang lumalabas na tarantado? Iyan ang tanong!

  2. Wait till we hear this administration do the same hitting below the belt against Magsaysay. Diyan magaling itong Ale Boba and her thieves. including the Internet Brigade.

    Mahihirapan sila kay Magsaysay I think because Magsaysay has a good name. Thanks to the father, who died a hero! Nakatulong pa iyong Magsaysay Award that made the Magsaysay name remembered forever not as a crook but a hero!

    Atta boy, Senator Jun Magsaysay! Pagbutihin mo! Ride on the name of your father! Hindi ka nila maaaring ibagsak.

    This goes to Alan Cayetano. Ipakilala mo ang tunay mong pagkatao—matapang, marangal at hindi tumatakbong patalikod! Hindi ka nag-iisa!

  3. Mrivera Mrivera

    put.ng amang bulate!!! nasabing edukado tao pero walang kayang gawin kundi gaguhin ang buong sambayanang pilipino! magkakatulad sila ng mga amo n’yang maligno na walang ginawa kundi huthutin ang kaban ng bayan!!! kaya nga sinasabi ko na, hindi batayan ang taas ng pinag-aralan ng tao upang malaman ang antas ng dignidad ng pagkatao! tamaan sana ng isang libo’t isang kidlat!!!! uurin sana mga mata ng buset!!@!##2*^%@@##

  4. Chabeli Chabeli

    “…this confirmation could also explain why the President and her party opted not to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in New York despite our election as Vice-chairman of the meeting. To do so may mean incarceration for many in her presidential party as a result of the official policy on kleptocracy.”

    What happens when Gloria and/or her party goes to Hawaii/SanFo? How interesting that El Gordo went with Gloria to her trip, when her trip is NOT A STATE VISIT. Who paid for El Gordo’s trip? Does El Gordo have to check on the SanFo buildings? of “fix” his monies in Europe?

  5. Chabeli Chabeli

    In addition…keep on, Atty. Roque! I hope you will be able to nail the Joke-Joke of the Philippines, Gloria, El Gordo and their Legions! After all, these people are the country’s NIGHTMARE!

    On other note…isn’t strange that the Court of Appeals lifted the TRO for governement to pay Piatco? How coincidental that the bank account that Rep. Cayetano mentioned is also in GERMANY. It seems that there is a haste to pay Piatco (where one of the major owners, FRAPORT, is also a GERMAN company) after the revelation of Rep. Cayetano?

  6. Ang basura, kahit na itago pa, tiyak sisingaw ang baho
    sa katagalan!

    Unti-unti nang nabubuksan ang baho ng mag-asawang peke kahit na ipagtatago pa nila.

    Yes, it will take time, but the beginning of the end is here for glue and her fg[fake gentleman]….

    Kudos and MOre Power to Atty. Roque; May your Tribe Increase! Kailangan kayo ng Bayan…..Salamat at nawa’y Gabayan pa kayo ng Maykapal.

  7. Hi Ellen, welcome back. I’ve been sick to. The flu got me and have yet to feel better.

    Chabeli,

    The bansot skipped the UNGA to escape being lambasted by other leaders on the Philippines’ abstention in the resolution condemning Israel’s action against Lebanon. This resolution was sponsored by the Philippines and yet did vote on it.

    On Bolante’s case, its no wonder why the US has not invited the pandak for an official visit. Their “Kleptocracy Law” prevents them from entertaining a known thief.

  8. Tedans Tedans

    Ellen, Welcome back!!!!
    Buti pa pala ang Amerika naiintindihan ang ating problema. Walang lusot si Dyok Bolate. Kagaya na lang nong mga na-recruit na mga Nurses para magtrabaho sa NY. Hindi tinupad ang contratang pinirmahan nila, nagreklamo daw sila at lumapit pa sila sa isang US Senator para humingi ng tulong. Naintindihan at tinulungan sila nito. Nong bumalik sila dito sa atin at ireklamo yong nag-recruit sa kanila, kinampihan pa ni Defensor yong agency. BAKIIIIIIIT??? PURO LOKOHAN NA LANG BA ANG BATAS NATIN? BAKIT IBA PA ANG NAKAKAINTINDI SA ATIN? ANG AMERIKA NA KUNG HAMAKIN NG IBA NATING KABABAYAN AY SIYA PA ANG NAKAKA-UNAWA SA MGA PROBLEMA NATIN. BAKIIIIIIT?

  9. Chabeli Chabeli

    Schumey,

    Thanks for your comments. The abstention of the Philippines regarding “the resolution condemning Israel’s action against Lebanon” after sponsoring such, is a mirror of Gloria’s government: INSINCERE.

    Thank goodness for the “Kleptocracy Law” of the U.S. It rids them of dirt. Like Gloria.

  10. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    If Pilipinos are unable to do it, USA assistance would be great in prosecuting a known thief or kleptocrat Bolate. Certainly, a new hope, even if it takes USA justice. Well, with Kleptocracy Law in-placed we can now assume that Miguel and others like him will be staying in the Philippines instead? At least, we can keep an eye on him at all time. Misery loves company! Who knows, and it would be grandiose if Gloria Arroyo made the list of Kleptocrats. One can only hope, I suppose. I guess, Garci won’t be going to USA anytime soon. Ladies and Gentlemen, things are looking better!

  11. Chabeli Chabeli

    Yes, Toney Cuevas, “things are” indeed “looking better!”

    One of the objectives of Pres. Bush’s Kleptocracy Law states that the U.S. “will work closely with international partners to identify kleptocratcs and those who corrupt them, and deny such persons entry and safe haven.”

    What’s also interesting is that in Pres. Bush’s statement last Aug. 10, 2006 where he announces in the G8 summit in St. Petersburg (Russia) his “Administration’s plan to fight kleptocracy…” where “The National Strategy to Internationalize Efforts against Kleptocracy” will be set up, “…to deter, prevent, and address high-level, public corruption. It denies critical tools to detect and prosecute corrupt officials AROUND THE WORLD, so that the promise of economic assistance and growth reaches the people.”

    SO, WHEN WILL THE U.S. GO AFTER THE PIDALS?

  12. Chabeli Chabeli

    Toney Cuevas,

    Another reason why “things are looking better!”

    I read in the Tribune that the “International credit rating agency Standard and Poors (S&P) has identified the “divisive persona” of President Gloria Arroyo for the lingering political instability in the country.”

    Isn’t it great that the international community is seeing all this? Yehey!

  13. Chabeli:

    Why should the US go after the Pidals if they are in the Philippines, and they are legally responsible only to the Filipino people for crimes committed against the Republic of the Philippines? Mahiya naman na ang mga pilipino na palagi na lang gustong mag-ride on sa mga kano kahit na sa totoo lang wala nang pera ang mga kano para makialam pa sa problema ng mga pilipino unless na may pakinabang sila!

    In the case of the Bansot, wala naman silang pakinabang diyan lalo pa ngayon na dumidikit sa mga intsik tapos kunyari publicity stunt na nagsisipsip siya sa mga kano at the expense of the Filipinos! Iyan ang tinatawag na traydor-treason dahil wala siyang ipinagkaiba doon sa Tokyo Rose noong WWII.

    At least, I am proven right doon sa mga sinabi ko tungkol kay Bolate and probable legal action in the US na dinaanan niya. Never had such kind of experience as a matter of fact but I have seen such cases at the SFO airport of people being denied entry and sent A to A, and also how passengers on planes bound for the US are not allowed on board kung walang US visa kahit na transit lang sa US.

    Simple lang naman, but look at the attempt to mislead bloggers here and the attempt to give the impression that the Bansot is so malakas para mayanig ang lahat! Papaanong di lalakas may pera galing sa mga utang and tong ng mga gambling lord para pangsuhol o pambayad ng mga hitmen na murang-mura sa Pilipinas.

    Believe you me, but I have interpreted for Filipino criminals recruited by the Japanese Yakuza in the Philippines who work as hitmen; call themselves “mamamatay tao” or kuroshiya in Japanese.

    I work parttime as interpreter at the police, court and bar association in Japan while maintain a travel agency and import/export company. Up until April, I was working once a week at the Japanese Prison in Japan as interpreter. I am on sabbatical this fiscal year.

    And recently, I got a qualification as paralegal in Japan, kaya when it comes to legal matters especially concerning foreigners, I think I am qualified enough.

    I blog in between work hooked up via fibros optic. I bet Cory by the Sea is also now on fibros optics offered by NTT in competition with Tepco and the cable TVs.

    Good thing, Magsaysay is taking up this case of Bolate seriously. The farmers will love him for that. Next, he should run after the crooks in the AFP! I hope he is not one with feet of clay!

    No need to be intelligent to know all these simple rules as a matter of fact. Common sense lang naman and a little knowledge of the rules of law.

  14. Schumey,

    Ingat. I was sick, too, myself. Got allergic to nuts. Namaga ang mukha ko kaya hindi ako makalabas ng bahay for a week. Fortunately, I can do translation at home and send the documents via fax or internet.

    Mahirap mawala kahit isa sa atin!

  15. Chabeli Chabeli

    Ystakei,
    That was my own interpretation of Pres. Bush’s statement in the G8 summit. If I was wrong, then I appreciate your explanation. That’s naman how people learn diba, from those who know better? My intention is not to offend you or agitate you with my interpretation. After all, I am not a lawyer.

  16. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    All in due time, Gloria Arroyo will pay for the crimes she committed against kababayans. It really doesn’t matter where the help will come as long as the end result will expose bogus Gloria and her family for all the wrong they did to the Pilipino nation. But, this time I just wish that Pilipinos has learned the past mistake when they let the Marcoses out of the country. We could’ve stop Marcos only if our resolve were stalwart to stand for justice. The Arroyos must stay in the Philippines to pay for their crimes. It’s the only way we can hope for justice, and we should not bargain for less. Justice is too precious to surrender.

    USA kept Bolate in prison, and his crime was against the Pilipinos, so it’s of my opinion that there is no reason the USA won’t do the same to Jose Pidal. Wether we agree or disagree on the USA role in the Philippines, we can’t deny the USA has a major part to the very existence of the Philippines, it’s a fact. All a matter of policy, and when circumtances are just right, especially when USA aids to PI are being plundered by Pinoy Kleptocrats. And after all Gloria double crossed USA with the Angelo de la Cruz deal. They got Kleptocrat Carlos Garcia’s son bringing $100k cash, so I’m confidence Jose Pidal is next on the list.

    We will get the last laugh!

  17. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Is it possible that Jose Pidal and company of thieves can be arrested upon arriving on U.S. soil? Mrs. Gloria Arroyo and some Cabinet members will be in Hawaii on September 15, 2006. Mrs. Arroyo will meet with Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle and the Filipino community. The U.S. government should not be selective on no safe haven policy for corrupt government officials even they (GMA officials) are carrying diplomatic passports. Jose Pidal is a big catch.

  18. myrna myrna

    Matanong ko, bakit pupunta sa isang ospital sa UK si Glueria? ano kayang ipapagamot o ipa-check up? Sakit sa kidney? o sakit sa pagiging swapang at sakim? In short: kleptocracy?

    hmmmm, interesting.

    sana pagdating sa Hawaii, diretsong kalaboso na. Tingnan nga natin kung gawin ng alipores ni Bush. o baka naman iniisip na talagang malakas sila kay Bush-yo??? 🙂

  19. Chabeli:

    Yup, we have nothing to fight about. Sharing is the word, sabi nga. Medyo malakas lang siguro ang dating ko because I know what I am talking about. Otherwise, I don’t talk. Just nod my head because I don’t want to act like all-knowing but deep inside is actually an idiot!

    Correct me if I am wrong, and I will share what I know is right. I have actually good comaraderie with a lot of people in this blog, all sharing the same sentiments and love for the land of our birth. Otherwise, why should we be here? I am definitely not blogging just for the sake of it. I am here because I share Ellen’s sentiments, and those of others like Anna, Schumey, Emilio, Spartan, Cory by the Sea, Soleil and numerous more, but definitely not the Internet Brigader(s) blogging here to create chaos and anarchy, and worse, make Filipinos look stupid! Pwe! E saan ba nanggaling ang mga iyan? Mas pinoy pa nga kesa sa akin e pero walang pagmamahal sa mga kababayan nilang nilalait nila!

  20. Myrna:

    Why should the Hawaiians arrest Ale Boba? Wala naman siyang kasalanan sa kanila unless na maghubo siya sa Waikiki Beach! As for the hospital visit sa London, kasi may sakit iyan pag Thursday and then get out of the hospital on Saturday paid for by Filipino taxpayers. At saka, baka maawa ang Amnesty International sa kaniya. Doon kasi ang HQ ng AI. At saka, inaasahan niyang baka maawa si Queen Elizabeth sa kaniya at makumbida sa Buckingham Palace. Hindi state visit kaya wala siyang regalla ng changing of guards doon. Kundi pupunta ako doon at magdadala ako ng placard at aabangan ko siya sa gate ng Buckingham Palace o kaya sa Hyde Park at doon ako magsisisigaw kasama ng mga kakilala ko sa Oxford U at Parliament na mg MP na ngayon.

  21. Anna:

    Kahit maraming duwag at palpak, I still believe that the Philippines is worth fighting for, huwag na ang mga pilipino.

    Yup, you bet, buti pa iyong mga foreigner sumasama sa mga protests laban sa Pandak di tulad noong mga pinoy na may gana pang magpa wine and dine kahit nahihirapan ang mga pamilya nila sa Pilipinas dahil kay Pandak. Worse ay bakit sila pumapalakpak sa mga kabulastugang sinasabi niya? Unbelievably incredible ang katangahan sa totoo lang!

    Good luck sa rally ninyo sa Brussels. Naghahanda din kami dito sa Tokyo para sa pagbebenta ng mga properties na mismong si Macoy na sinasabi nilang swapang ay hindi ginawa ang ganitong hindi lang kabulastugan kundi talamak na KAHAYUPAN!!!

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!

  22. Diego Guevarra:

    Prove that the Pidal properties in SFO were bought with public funds looted from the treasury, and you definitely will have a case against them. Madali naman gawin iyan kung gugustuhin noong mga nasa Justice Department ng Pilipinas. Kaso mo, idiot ang Secretary doon at iyong Ombudsman naman na babae ay kaibigan nila at baka pala nila!!!

    Sabi ko nga sa inyo, puede namang ipa-Interpol ang mga iyan sa totoo lang, bakit hindi ginagawa! Siyempre hindi naman puedeng mag-direct ang mga kano kung walang biktimang kano rin.

    That’s what we call “rule of law” sa totoo lang!

  23. Mrivera Mrivera

    ystakei,

    nakakalungkot isipin na ang properties of the state ay pwedeng pagpasyahang ibenta without even consulting the people. SWAPANG TALAGA!!! what we have now is the rule of greed!!! even cory did not succeed in her administration’s plan to sell that tokyo property. but now ……how come???????

  24. Mrivera Mrivera

    Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante is in real trouble, and so may the presidential couple be in the same troubled boat, if, in an act of desperation to be granted his bid for political asylum in the United States, he starts singing — and on the matter of the P3-billion fertilizer funds scam, something he has refused to do before the Senate.

    It is definitely official. Bolante’s visa was canceled by the US Embassy Manila on account of a standing arrest warrant issued by the Philippine Senate against the former Arroyo Agriculture undersecretary. The issue certainly revolves around the funds scam, as the arrest stems from this and he will be forced to delve on this issue, in his bid for political asylum.

    That fertilizer scam certainly has something to do with the massive vote-buying and vote-rigging that occurred during the polls in 2004, not to mention the alleged co-mingling of American agricultural-aid funds, which would fall under US Public Law 480, along with the policy of no safe haven for kleptocrats.

    Given the Bolante case disclosure, this may also explain the overreaction of the First Gentleman, along with his spouse and family members’ such as their son, Mikey and Mike’s brother Iggy, on the issue of the alleged HypoVereinsbank deposits disclosed by Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and the recent uncharacteristic angry reaction of the First Gentleman to a reporter’s query on the Jose Pidal bank account case — and perhaps even explain why the Arroyo-friendly media never highlighted the German bank issue, preferring to bury the story in their inside pages.

    When the Senate held hearings on the P3- billion fertilizer funds scam, this gained full media play, especially as Bolante played hide and seek with the Senate, ending up with a frustrated Senate finally citing him in contempt while issuing an arrest order against Bolante.

    from: ninez cacho-olivares

  25. Mrivera:

    Hindi nga ibinenta ni Cory ang property pero hindi dahil sa ayaw niya at ng mga swapang na advisers niya kundi natakot ang mga hapong bibili. Ngayong itong si Pandak ibinebenta ang property sa mga dayuhan na hindi hapon o pilipino na hindi niya alam na may provision sa batas na bawal ibenta ang mga property na ito sa mga dayuhan lalo na kung walang consent ng mga pilipinong taumbayan sa isang national referendum. Tuso ang walanghiya kasi sa Manila lahat ngayon ang transaction dahil alam ngang hindi uubra kung dito sa Japan mismo ang bentahan. Handa na namin ang aming lawsuit to be filed in a Japanese court that the reparations treaty provides for. Kailangan namin ang inyong moral support kahit na maraming hapon ang tutulong sa amin sa totoo lang!!!

    Proud to say that OUR GROUP saved the properties from being sold in 1989-1992! First time ko noon ng talagang bigay activism!!! Sana ma-feel ni Anna ang gagawin niya ngayon sa Brussels!!!

    Isang swapang diyan si FVR na kamag-anak din namin on my father’s side sa totoo lang. Nakakahiya ang mamang iyan!

  26. Emilio:

    Nakita mo ba ang sapatos ni Boba? Isang ruler yata ang taas! Like a lot many of us here, ipinagdarasal kong matapilok sana! 😛 Ang taas na ng takong, hanggang baywang pa rin ni Clinton tapos sasabihin na nakipag-date daw sa kaniya si Clinton nang nasa Georgetown siya! Nangkupo!

  27. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    The Office of the Ombudsman under former Jose Pidal personal lawyer Merceditas Gutierrez is deliberately delaying the investigation of Joc-Joc Bolante’s alleged fertilizer scam and Comelec’s overpriced vote counting machines. Why? It means that their loyalty to the appointing party is more important than the national interests of the Filipino people. Anyways, who are paying their monthly salaries ? There will be justice after the ouster of Gloria Arroyo regime. In the meantime, no safe haven policy for corrupt government officials in the U.S. “hulog sa langit” to prosecute corrupt GMA officials including Jose Pidal.

  28. I hope and pray that the US of A release to the public
    [since we all have that FREEDOM TO INFORMATION!] all facts about bolante’s case.

    It is extremely important that we, the people be informed
    since the money squandered by bolante [as per instruction, no doubt, by the ‘royal highness’ of the EK!] were actually intended for the Pinoy FARMERS.

    NOW that these KLEPTOS know they can’t hide their moolahs in the US, beware Europe! NEVER allow these greedy sharks to bring our monies there….

    Nakakasuya talaga! Kelan kaya mabubura sa mundo ang ganyang sakim, ganid, swapang, hayok sa lahat ng bagay?

    Sana Lord, ASAP na!
    Please?!

  29. npongco npongco

    Diego, Gutierrez was appointed to that post for that purpose; so were the many others…solely to protect the Pidals and Malacanang.

  30. Mrivera Mrivera

    npongco, talaga ka. tingnan mo nga at sila sila na lang ang umiikot sa gabinete ng kampanerang kyut. pero may masasabi ka bang accomplishment nila while in office? siguro yung pagtakpan ang lahat ng baho ng pamilya de maligno.

  31. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Yes, protector ng mga kawatan at Pidalismo.

  32. Re: “Nakita mo ba ang sapatos ni Boba? ”

    Hah, I’ve got Gloria’s secret shoe collection featured in my blog.

    Of course, Gloria will have to deny the existenc of her collection so I can retract. But until she does that, those shoes “belong” to her secret collection and will stay.

    Hah!

  33. artsee artsee

    Size 3 daw ang shoes ni tiyanak. Kung bumibili daw iyan sa children’s section.

  34. artsee artsee

    Myrna, sa UK ba pumunta si tiyanak? University of Kiki? Ano man gawin niya sa kanyang mukha at hitsura, pangit pa rin. Pagmasdan mo ang mukha ng anak na si Luli. Kulang ang baba at matulis ang nguso. Ang payat pa na akala mo malnourished o drug addict.

  35. Mrivera Mrivera

    artsee, ano ba naman ‘yang pang-iinsulto mo sa anak ng kagalanggalang na pangulo ng bansa? huwag namang ganyan! kahit ganyan ‘yan, parang tao na rin ‘yan! ngek!!!

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